Chelsea lost to Middlesbrough and progress to the final was complicated

Chelsea still cannot find regularity in their game this season. After three consecutive wins, the team Mauricio Pochettino disappointed again when they were beaten 1-0 by Championship team Middlesbrough trained by Michael Carrick (former Manchester United player), in the first leg of the semi-finals of the English League Cup. Tomorrow, Liverpool and Fulham will play in the first round of their confrontation at Anfield.

Chelsea remain favourites the tie, which will be decided on January 23 at Stamford Bridge, but victory at the Riverside fuels Middlesbrough’s dream of reaching the Wembley final and repeating its 2004 League Cup triumph, the only title in its history.

Without Nkunku, a Palmer jinxed in front of goal

Pochettino put the best eleven possible in the battle because of the many casualties he had accumulated, the last one Christopher Nkunkuwho after making his debut in December after a long knee injury, is now suffering from several hip problems.

In his place Carlton Palmer played 9 and The former Manchester City player had three clear chances to score, but the goal eluded them against a Middlesbrough team who stood their ground despite losing two of their best players to injury in the first 20 minutes. Emmanuel Latte Lath and Alex Bangura.

The first is a result of a serious delivery error by Jonny Howson who singles Palmerbut he wanted to adjust his shot one-on-one with goalkeeper Tom Glover so it went wide (30′).

Colwill eats a long ball and Hackney scores

Again Chelsea were forced to sail against the tide due to a new defensive imbalance when, eight minutes later, Isaiah Jones won in the back Levi Colwill on a long ball from the right and, after getting into the area, he put the ball in for Hayden Hackney it crosses the net (38′).

Chelsea weathered the first phase of Boro’s push, fueled by their fans, before dominating the game despite lacking rhythm or clear-cut chances. However, in the long discount of the first half Moisés Caicedo he shot dangerously from the edge of the area and Palmer missed two more clear chances.

The purpose Tom Glover He initially failed in his attempt to block a shot from Enzo Fernández, the ball fell to Palmer, who sent it high with everything in his favor.

Glover fails Palmer

Seconds later, Palmer did everything right, receiving, cutting past a defender and this time Glover denied him a goal by deflecting his low shot with a providential hand.

In the second half, Chelsea were clearly dominating and began to generate notable offensive production, but it never materialized.

Pochettino stepped up the attack but to no avail

But ironically, with the entry of Mykhailo Mudryk and Armando Broja With time to strengthen the attack, Chelsea’s scoring options were reduced due to Boro’s resistance as incompetence took over the ‘Blues’ players.

At the end of the party at the Riverside waiting for the second leg. It will be difficult for Chelsea to get to the final and have their chance of the title the closest they have come in this disappointing season.