The League Cup semi-final clash between Middlesbrough and Chelsea was a thrilling encounter that ended in a surprising 1-0 victory for Middlesbrough. The match showcased the true spirit of the competition, with both teams displaying their determination and skill.
From the first whistle, it was clear that Middlesbrough had come to play. They pressed high up the pitch, denying Chelsea any time on the ball and forcing them into making mistakes. Their disciplined defense frustrated Chelsea's attacking players, who struggled to create clear-cut chances.
Chelsea's best may still be enough to rescue the tie and book a place in February's final at Wembley but the angry scenes at full time suggest manager Mauricio Pochettino needs to start making the Blues more than the sum of their expensively-assembled parts sooner rather than later.
Some of the Chelsea fans who travelled to Riverside Stadium voiced their anger at the final whistle as several players went to acknowledge their support at the end of a display that can be added to a growing catalogue of mirror-image defeats: create chances, fail to take them and concede a soft goal.
Middlesbrough had not scored against Chelsea for over 17 years. The Blues had won the past nine meetings by an aggregate score of 21-0.
However, the home side ended that drought eight minutes before half-time.
The pace of Isaiah Jones down the right caused Chelsea's makeshift left-back Levi Colwill problems all night and his low cross was turned in by Hackney from close range.
The Blues could have been a goal or two ahead by halftime, as they out-shot Boro 11-4 in the opening 45 minutes, but it was the home side that took their best scoring chance when it came, in the 37th minute. Isaiah Jones got in behind Levi Colwill and played a simple cross into the six-yard box, where Hayden Hackney made the late-arriving run from midfield and poked the ball past Djordje Petrovic for the opening, and only, goal of the game.
Chelsea will try to overturn their deficit in the second leg back at Stamford Bridge, on Jan. 23.
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