In a disappointing display, Chelsea succumbed to a 1-0 defeat against Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg on Tuesday, showcasing their wasteful side.
Despite dominating possession and controlling the statistics, Mauricio Pochettino’s team failed to impress, delivering a lackluster performance devoid of creativity and inspiration. The hosts secured victory as Hayden Hackney tapped home from close range after Cole Palmer missed three clear chances in the first half.
The game began with Boro showing energy and causing moments of panic. However, early injuries to Emmanuel Latte Lath and Alex Bangura disrupted the hosts’ momentum, allowing Chelsea to assert control over possession. Despite this, the Blues struggled to convert their dominance into meaningful chances.
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Cole Palmer had an early attempt saved by Thomas Glover, and Levi Colwill headed over the bar. Palmer then had a golden opportunity, receiving a loose pass from Jonny Howson, but his effort went wide. Against the run of play, Middlesbrough took the lead when Isaiah Jones delivered a cut-back, and Hackney tapped it home.
In stoppage time, Enzo Fernandez’s shot from range was spilled by Glover into Palmer’s path, but the Chelsea player failed to control his point-blank effort, sending it over the bar and keeping Middlesbrough ahead at halftime.
The second half saw Noni Madueke’s header comfortably saved by Glover, and Conor Gallagher’s stretching volley went wide. Chelsea pushed for an equalizer, but their ball quality was poor. Tame shots, weak passes, and aimless dribbles characterized their attempts as Boro defended deep, allowing the visitors to shoot themselves in the foot. The game concluded with Chelsea futilely searching for a deserved goal that never materialized.