CHELSEA have made it to their first major final under Mauricio Pochettino – and they have done it in style.
The Blues needed to stage a comeback after losing to Middlesbrough 1-0 in the first leg.
And Cole Palmer, Axel Disasi, Enzo Fernandez, Noni Madueke and an own goal Jonny Howson have booked the Blues a Wembley spot.
- RESULT: Chelsea 6-1 (6-2 agg) Middlesbrough
- Live stream: NOW TV
- TV channel: Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event
- Chelsea XI: Petrovic; Disasi, Silva, Colwill, Chilwell; Caicedo, Fernandez; Sterling, Palmer, Mudryk; Broja
- Middlesbrough XI: Glover, Van den Berg, Barlaser, Clarker, Fry, Hackney, Rogers, Howson, Forss, Crooks, Engel
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Palmer continues to shine in West London
Cole Palmer was awarded the man of the match award this evening.
He has been the shining light of what has been quite a gloomy season for The Blues so far.
They will need their young attacker to continue his form in order for them to achieve any of their targets for the campaign.
Credit: AFP Chelsea with testing run ahead
Mauricio Pochettino will know a lot more about his team after the next five games.
The Blues will face three of the top four teams in the Premier League.
Looking to move their way up the table, it offers the chance to make a real statement of where they are under their new manager.
Enzo puts in solid performance for Poch’s Blues
Enzo Fernandez put in one of his better shifts for Chelsea this evening, taking advantage of the space he was finding in the middle of the park.
From the first few attacks, Howson struggled to track his runs and the Argentine took full advantage, getting on the scoresheet in the process.
Blues’ fans will be hoping to see this more against better quality opposition also.
FT: Chelsea 6-1 Middlesbrough
This will bring the feel good factor back to Stamford Bridge temporarily.
You can only beat the side put in front of you but this result certainly does not mean Chelsea turning a corner under their new manager.
They have plenty of work to do in the Premier League to get anywhere near where these fans are used to seeing their team compete.
FT: Chelsea 6-1 Middlesbrough
Mauricio Pochettino is all smiles, congratulating his players.
It has been an easy day at the office for Chelsea.
Middlesbrough were the architects of their own downfall, making costly mistakes in dangerous areas of the pitch.
FT: Chelsea 6-1 Middlesbrough
The referee brings the game to a close.
Putting Michael Carrick out of his misery.
Chelsea advance to the final of the Carabao Cup.
Chelsea 6-1 Middlesbrough
90+2. Chelsea are happy to pass the ball around to see this game out now.
It has been a dominant performance but in terms of quality between the two sides, an absolute mismatch.
Kudos to Middlesbrough for getting this far but they have been truly outclassed.
Credit: Getty Chelsea 6-1 Middlesbrough
90. The Boro fans really enjoyed that goal from Rogers.
After a long trip down from the North East, they at least have something to shout about in the final moments of the game.
We are going to have three minutes added.
Chelsea 6-1 Middlesbrough
88. Finally the away fans have something to celebrate.
The ball is played up to Rogers and as he ambles forward there is really nothing on for him.
He cuts onto his right foot, outside of the box, and bends one into the far corner with Petrovic nowhere near it.
Goal – Morgan Rogers (Middlesbrough)
Chelsea 6-0 Middlesbrough
86. Raheem Sterling comes off for Leo Castledine.
For those who have not seen him before, he is wearing an alice band despite having hair that is now longer than two inches in length.
Interesting fashion move.
Chelsea 6-0 Middlesbrough
84. Again Middlesbrough are defending like a comedy sketch.
As they look to clear the ball, it is struck against his own player and almost flies into the back of the net.
This has been a car crash from Michael Carrick’s team.
Credit: AP Chelsea 6-0 Middlesbrough
82. The visitors give the ball away again in a dangerous area.
Madueke picks it up and drives into the box, before cutting onto his favoured left-foot.
He looks to put it in the far corner before the defender on the line volleys it into the opposite top corner.
Middlesbrough come forward and finally get the ball in the back of the Chelsea net but it is ruled out for offside.
Goal – Noni Madueke (Chelsea)
Chelsea 5-0 Middlesbrough
80. There is a sombre look on the face of Michael Carrick.
It is not a case that his side have been played off the park tonight, they have just made some very simple errors which Chelsea have punished.
He just hopes that no more goals follow now.
Chelsea 5-0 Middlesbrough
78. Gallagher does well getting to the byline and cutting it back to Palmer.
He opens his body up and hits a right-footed shot, first time, into the far corner of the goal.
Brilliant finish by the youngster.
Goal – Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
Chelsea 4-0 Middlesbrough
76. Chelsea will take some confidence from this game.
It will be a completely different proposition when they face Aston Villa on Friday however.
That will be more of a gauge of where Pochettino’s side are.
Chelsea 4-0 Middlesbrough
74. Palmer looks to close down the keeper.
He passes it to the defender with his back to the advancing Sterling.
As he slides in to try and dispossess him, it deflects behind for a corner.
Chelsea 4-0 Middlesbrough
72. Caicedo comes off for Chukwuemeka.
Pochettino with the chance to rest a few players now.
In all fairness, he could have done that after the third goal.
Credit: AFP Chelsea 4-0 Middlesbrough
70. Fernandez plays the ball to Palmer outside the box.
He plays a sublime scooped pass into the box to find Disasi.
The Chelsea defender tries to have a strike at goal, with all the time in the world and has a complete air-shot.
Howson comes off for O’Brien for Middlesbrough.
Chelsea 4-0 Middlesbrough
68. Gilchrist has acres of space to run into.
He lays the ball off to Madueke who has no way through so passes it all the way back to the defence.
Chelsea seem to be going through the motions now, just trying to play keep-ball.
Chelsea 4-0 Middlesbrough
66. Pochettino also brings on Gallagher for Broja.
It means we will see Cole Palmer playing up front now.
To be fair, they could have got somebody out of the crowd and they couldn’t have played any worse than Broja.
Chelsea 4-0 Middlesbrough
64. Van Den Berg is penaliised for a foul on Sterling.
To add insult to injury, he is also shown a yellow card for his troubles.
Alfie Gilchrist comes on for Ben Chilwell.
Chelsea 4-0 Middlesbrough
62. The ball is played up to Broja but he loses possession.
He really is a terrible player.
Chelsea would be better off with Drogba up front and he is 45-years-old now.
Credit: Getty
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
