If this makes remember the good old days, then Chelsea’s victory might also mark the start of a promising future. The first major final of the post-Abramovich era is signaling a new era, providing some satisfaction for owners like Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, who have faced mockery. They should find some solace in the fact that their ambitious, fledgling initiative is moving forward. Few weeks back Chelsea vs Middlesbrough results were different from this. However Men in blue changed the game.
In Short
A compete turnaround
It was a complete turnaround; trailing 1-0 after the first leg against Middlesbrough, Chelsea shattered them with four unanswered goals during a challenging first half. Cole Palmer, who has scored 11 goals since joining Manchester City in the summer, was exceptional. Raheem Sterling ran riot against Boro. After sustaining an injury in September at Hampstead, Ben Chilwell had an outstanding start.
A sixth and final goal of the evening! 🫡#CFC | #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/BpFAqvMqRW
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 24, 2024
Mauricio Pochettino
Mauricio Pochettino, the coach accused of understanding heavy spending under the new ownership, might find solace in the display of compassionate sportsmanship. After 18 months of upheaval, it almost feels like Men in Blue are back. Securing a place at Wembley with a resounding 6-2 victory is as emphatic as it gets, even for a club that reached the cup final during the Abramovich days.
Next Fixtures for Chelsea
Maintaining the context is very worthwhile. Chelsea has been playing well; after winning at home against a lower-division team, they advanced to the semi-finals where they will face more difficult opponents. They will host Aston Villa in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Friday and face Liverpool in the league next week.
Similarly, this was Chelsea’s ninth consecutive home game without a loss, enjoying the correction of things after a disappointing performance in the first leg. Pochettino found only positive things as he moved around his technical area; whenever the pace slowed down, he would nod approvingly, indicating that only positive things were happening.
INCREDIBLE TEAM GOAL
An incredible team goal, with Axel finishing off a fine move! ⚡️#CFC | #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/7q6dOZ051G
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 24, 2024
It was more about composure than chaos for Boro
11th place in the Championship and struggling with injuries. Isaiah Jones, who troubled Men in Blue at Riverside, was unavailable. Chelsea’s long injury list seemed irrelevant. Pochettino’s strategy overwhelmed Boro, preventing them from settling in the lower block, and the remarkable decision to exclude Conor Gallagher paid off.
For Chelsea, playing Mason Mount and Sterling on the wings, with Broja behind Palmer, and Fernandes advancing from midfield made advancing the game straightforward.
Chilwell proved equally influential in his first start at left-back this season. It’s odd that Pochettino often used him as a winger at the beginning of the campaign. Chilwell, when overlapping and making deep runs, is so effective that it seemed eager to prove he belongs in the back four.
It was the armband that motivated him. He moved quickly, met challenges head-on, and nearly extended Chelsea’s lead with a long-range strike against Tom Glover. He was taken aback at being punished for lying to Boro’s goalie. It was an indication of Chelsea’s intention to attack.
Boro couldn’t respond, and a move by Johnny Howson to drop into a back five created confusion. After Fernandes and Moses Kean found more space in midfield, Chelsea’s grip tightened. Fourteen minutes later, Chilwell seized control, danced in space, and played the ball to Sterling. Before Howson could turn around and make a last-ditch attempt at a clearance, the winger lured Glover and found Broja, who tapped into the vacant net.
Their advantage was extended, and Boro crumbled again. Dias Diasci stopped Matt Clarke’s poor pass, and after Broja and Sterling’s clever play, he drilled into the bottom corner for another resounding finish. It was 4-0 when Pamaar, working at pace, placed a shot beyond Glover after a clever Sterling flick.
The second half became easier for Chelsea. It seemed like Pochettino had taken pity on Lucas Engel, who had switched sides with Sterling in the flank struggle. However, if Engel felt relief about not grappling with Sterling, it would have been short-lived after Noni Madueke came on. Chelsea was always capable of raising its level.
It was evident when Gallagher came off the bench and surpassed Pamaar for the first time, and then when Madueke cut inside and finished easily after Rodgers saved Gallagher’s initial effort. Chelsea could be eager to face Liverpool or Fulham at Wembley. Rogers’ late, excellent strike won’t spoil the superb striking mood. “
