Chelsea book Wembley date after putting SIX past Boro

Chelsea booked their spot in the Carabao Cup final with an easy 6-1 (6-2 aggregate) victory over Championship side Middlesbrough.

The Blues laboured in the first leg at the Riverside Stadium and went into this one 1-0 down on aggregate.

That aggregate scoreline meant little though as Chelsea's Wembley place was effectively confirmed by half-time.

It took just 15 minutes for Mauricio Pochettino's side to take the lead. Ben Chilwell found Raheem Sterling whose pass in the box was going to set up Armando Broja who would have almost certainly scored. Jonathan Howson had to get something but saw his touch nestle in the net.

The second goal came just before the halfway mark. The enterprising Axel Disasi combined well with Raheem Sterling with Disasi cutting the ball back where Enzo Fernández had the easy job of finishing.

It was 3-1 on aggregate shortly after this time it was again Disasi venturing forward that started the move and also finishing it after converting Sterling's pass past Tom Glover and into the net.

The tie was over before half-time when Middlesbrough were caught out just on the edge of their own area allowing Cole Palmer to find space and bury the ball into the corner.

Chelsea were a class above their second-tier opposition and were able to cruise their way through the second period, scoring a few more along the way.

Conor Gallagher laid the ball on for Cole Palmer to get his second in the 77th minute to make it 5-0 on the night. 

Four minutes later it was 6-0. Once again Middlesbrough were caught out with Gallagher picking up the ball and feeding in Noni Madueke. There was still plenty for Madueke to do but the forward found space and curled in an effort that found the night despite the attempts of Rav van den Berg.

Middlesbrough did manage to get a consolation late on – Morgan Rodgers curling a shot from the edge of the area out of the reach of Djordje Petrovic to score his fifth goal of the competition.

The Chelsea defence will no doubt be annoyed about conceding late on but this was an easy night for the Blues. They'll now face either Liverpool or Fulham in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley next month.

xG: Chelsea (3.38) 6-1 (0.12) Middlesbrough

The #CarabaoCup final awaits. 💙#CFC pic.twitter.com/EBPgjHOkLG

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 23, 2024