Chelsea’s hopes of winning this season’s Carabao Cup hang in the balance after suffering a shocking 1-0 defeat at Middlesbrough in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final with Hayden Hackney’s goal giving Mauricio Pochettino’s wasteful side plenty to do in the return.
Hackney lashed on to a pass from Isaiah Jones to slot home the only goal of the encounter at the Riverside Stadium and the Championship side defended superbly to take a slender advantage to Stamford Bridge.
Boro, who won the trophy in 2004, had chances on the counter-attack to increase their lead but will head to London believing they can reach Wembley. Chelsea’s players were booed by some of their own fans at the final whistle.
The Blues have another opportunity to redeem their image on the 23rd of January in the return leg at Stamford Bridge.