CHELSEA cruised into another Wembley final after beating Middlesbrough 6-1 in the Carabao Cup.
The Blues had started poorly at Stamford Bridge before captain Ben Chilwell inspired the opener, latching onto a loose ball and then finding Raheem Sterling to cut back for Armando Broja.
Broja celebrated but the ball was actually poked in by Middlesbrough captain Jonny Howson.
Chelsea then scored three more before the break – two of which Boro can only blame themselves for.
The second come after good work down the right from Axel Disasi and Raheem Sterling, with the defender crossing for Enzo Fernandez to finish.
Boro appeared defeated and only looked worse after Disasi pick the pocket of a Boro defender and then burst forward, latching onto a Sterling cross to score a third.
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The fourth came from Boro overplaying at the back and when Dan Barlaser slipped Cole Palmer did what he couldn’t manage at the Riverside and found the net with ease.
Palmer then had a second with about 15 minutes still to play, slotting home a Conor Gallgher cutback to end any worries that Riverside disaster may have affected him.
Chelsea weren’t done there however, with more loose Boro play being punished – this time Noni Madueke being put through by Gallagher to cut inside and finish on his left.
Boro got a late consolation through Morgan Rogers but Mauricio Pochettino’s side were well on their way to Wembley by then.
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Djordje Petrovic – 6/10
The Chelsea goalkeeper had very little to do on what was – by far – the easiest night he has had since coming into the side.
Got down quickly to his right to deny a tame Morgan Rogers effort but appeared to be sleeping and was left flat footed late on when Rogers bent in a decent effort that should have been saved.
Axel Disasi – 8
The giant Frenchman has often struggled in the right-back role but was excellent here.
Had a huge hand in the second goal after good link-up play and a cut-back that was eventually turned in by Enzo Fernandez, before getting on the scoresheet himself.
Disasi picked the pocket of a Boro midfielder before driving forward and latching onto a Raheem Sterling pass for his first goal since the opening day of the season.
Thiago Silva – 7
The Chelsea defence was rarely troubled and Silva looked comfortable for vast majority of the night.
There was one nervy moment where he appeared to misjudge a pass in behind, but his recovery and last-ditch tackle was times to perfection.
Levi Colwill – 6
Looks much more comfortable defending in the centre of the pitch than he does when shunted out to the left.
Loses a mark because his passing, especially in the early stages, was extremely poor, with at least four passes missing there target by at least 20 yards.
Ben Chilwell – 9
Wow – what a return to the starting line-up for the Chelsea vice-captain.
This was the kind of performance that Chilwell was putting in on his way to helping the Blues win the Champions League in 2021.
Full of energy up and down the left flank and a real attacking threat – his brilliant pass to Raheem Sterling created the opening goal – Chilwell also defended resolutely.
Enzo Fernandez – 7
Playing in a really advanced role, Enzo grabbed a really nicely taken goal saw the midfielder arrive late into the box, latch onto a loose ball and finish with ease.
Would have been nice to see him get on the ball a bit more and dictate with his passing – and he should have had another goal after a brilliant Cole Palmer through-ball – but a good performance overall.
Moises Caicedo – 6
Solid in the holding role, Caicedo endured a poor start to the game and then didn’t really have much to do with any of the goals.
Held his position well, though, and made a couple of crucial interceptions to thwart some Boro attacks.
Cole Palmer – 9
After his horror night at the Riverside, Palmer produced two perfect finishes with the greatest of ease to exercise any demons he might have had from that night.
For his first, Boro overplayed from the back and Palmer stole the ball from the slipping Dan Barlaser, before calmly finishing from close range.
His second came from a Conor Gallagher cross and the starlet also had a hand in Disasi’s goal – he could have had another assist or two but for poor finishing from Enzo and Disasi.
Mykhailo Mudryk – 5
Dragged off at half-time after Poch remonstrated with the winger on a couple of occasions for losing possession too easily.
Perhaps a bit harsh given the game was all wrapped up at the break, with Mudryk still providing a couple of dangerous moments in the first-half.
Raheem Sterling – 9
On another night he could have had a hat-trick, but the unselfish winger picked perfect passes on three occasions to set up his team-mates.
He had a hand in three of the four first-half goals and looked incredibly lively every time he got on the ball.
Armando Broja – 5
Had a sure goal robbed off of his toe when Jonny Howson attempted to tackle him for the opening goal and then whiffed at a Disasi cross that was turned in by Enzo.
Taken off after the hour mark having failed to really get into the game.
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Noni Madueke (for Mudryk, 45) – 8
Always a danger cutting in on his left foot, Madueke scored a lovely goal after holding off his man and finding the far corner.
Alfie Gilchrist (for Chilwell, 65) – 6
Didn’t have that much of an impact on the game but looked comfortable in defence and in possession.
Conor Gallagher (for Broja, 65) – 8
Two assists in 30 minutes for the captain isn’t a bad night’s work.
His energy heaped more pressure on an already tired looking Boro side.
Carney Chukwuemeka (for Caicedo, 72) – 6
Looks very rusty but that is to be expected at this stage of his comeback.
Vital minutes in his legs as Chelsea look to push on in the second half of the season.
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Leo Castledine (for Sterling, 85) – N/A
Little time to make an impact but a massive moment for the 18-year-old midfielder, who is one of the brightest prospects of the Chelsea academy.
Subs not used: Lucas Bergstrom, Ted Curd, Benoit Badiashile, Deivid Washington.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
