Chelsea advanced to the Carabao Cup final after thrashing Middlesbrough 6-1 in the semi-final second leg on Tuesday night.
Carabao Cup
Result: Chelsea 6-1 Middlesbrough (6-2 agg.)
Date: 23 January 2024
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Blues coach Mauricio Pochettino recalled Ben Chilwell at left-back while Mikhail Mudryk also returned in place of Conor Gallagher, who dropped to the bench.
It took the Blues just 15 minutes to get back on level terms in the tie as Boro defender Jonathan Howson turned the ball into his own while trying to clear Raheem Sterling's cross.
The lead was doubled in the 28th minute when Armando Broja deflected a low cross into the path of the on-rushing Enzo Fernandez, who slammed home from close range.
Chelsea showed no signs of slowing as the third goal arrived ten minutes before the halftime break after winning the ball high up, with Sterling playing Axel Disasi who sent a first-time strike past.
Pochettino's charges were out of sight after bagging a fourth goal three minutes before the halftime break, as Cole Palmer disspossed Barlaser to go one-on-one with with Tom Glover before slotting into the far corner.
With the home side comfortably leading by four goals, Pochettino looked to his bench after the hour mark as Chillwell and Broja made way for Alfie Gilchrist and Gallagher.
Chelsea would go on to bag a fifth goal in the 77th minute when Gallagher raced to the byline before pulling the back for Palmer, who slotted home from close range.
The rout continued as Middlesbrough were punished for more sloppy play when substitute Noni Mudueke cut in from right flank and unleashed a strike that took a big deflection and sailed into the back of the net.
The away side did bag a consolation in second-half stoppage time through Morgan Rogers' impressive finish from the edge of the box, but the Blues were already home and dry as they look ahead to the final at Wembley Stadium.
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