Middlesbrough Bow Out To Big-Spenders Chelsea
Middlesbrough’s hopes of a return to Wembley in the EFL Cup have come to an end after a second leg semi-final defeat to Chelsea saw the Vertu Motors-backed side exit the competition.
‘Boro had stunned the Premier League side in the opening leg to secure a hard-fought 1-0 win at the Riverside but went into the second game facing a huge challenge against one of the most expensively-assembled sides in the game.
Despite their underdog status, and missing a number of players through injury, Middlesbrough had chances to go further clear early on, but Chelsea equalised in the tie when Jonny Howson deflected the ball into his own net.
Enzo Fernandez then put Chelsea in front for the first time in the tie before Alex Disasi and Cole Palmer took advantage of lapses at the back to put the home side out of reach.
Palmer and Noni Madueke added further goals in the second half but the ‘Boro fans were given reason to celebrate before the end when Morgan Rogers was able to beat Djordje Petrovic near the end to add a consolation.
Middlesbrough now turn focus back towards the league and the push to join Chelsea in the top flight next season, with a Tees-Wear derby against Sunderland to come next on 4 February.