PLAYER RATINGS: Cole Palmer missed an absolute sitter and Axel Disasi struggled to settle… here’s how Chelsea performed in their shock defeat to Middlesbrough
- Chelsea suffered a shock defeat to Middlesbrough on Tuesday evening
- It was Boro midfielder Hayden Hackney who scored the only goal of the match
- Luis Suarez is FOURTH in Ian Ladyman’s top 5 Liverpool strikers… but who else is on the list? Listen to It all starts
Chelsea suffered a shock defeat to Middlesbrough in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final on Tuesday evening.
It was Hayden Hackney who scored the only goal of the match and saw Michael Carrick’s side emerge victorious.
Cole Palmer was close to the equalizer just before half-time, but shot over the bar from five meters away.
As a result, Mauricio Pochettino’s men will have their work cut out for them in the second leg of the match, which will take place on January 23.
But how did Mail Sport assess Chelsea’s performance on Tuesday evening? Lewis Steele gives his assessment of how each player played.
Chelsea suffered a 1-0 defeat against Middlesbrough in the first leg of the cup match on Tuesday
It was Hayden Hackney who scored the only goal of the match and saw Boro emerge victorious
Petrovic 6
He couldn’t do much about Hackney’s goal in the 37th minute of the match. Didn’t test too much after that.
Gust 5
Gusto continued to threaten forward and tried to play the ball behind Boro’s back line, but his Chelsea teammates did not make the required runs.
Gusto continued to threaten forward and tried to play the ball behind Boro’s back line, but his Chelsea teammates did not make the required runs
Disasi 5
Disasi struggled to settle into the match and looked a little worried at the ball, meaning Silva had to do the lion’s share of the work.
Silva 5.5
Silva was caught behind for Hackney’s, but apart from that he was relatively solid. That said, Boro’s pace down the right may have exposed his age somewhat.
Colwill 5
Not a good night at the office for Colwill. He was out of position for Hackney’s goal and almost cost Chelsea with a questionable header in the opening 60 seconds of the match.
Fernandez 5
It was Enzo Fernandez’s long shot that created the chance for Palmer. However, the youngster could not finish it.
It was Enzo Fernandez’s long shot that created the chance for Palmer. However, the youngster could not finish it
Caicedo 5
Caicedo is still struggling with form. He turned the ball over far too often with poor decision making and sloppy passing. Moreover, he lost his man in front of Hackney’s goal.
Madueke 5.5
Madueke looked a threat all game but was subbed off by Pochettino in the 62nd minute, cutting his evening short.
Gallagher 6
As always, Gallagher showed a good work rate, but little came of it. He was also guilty of missing a good chance in the second half.
Sterling 6
Made a few good runs down the flank, but nothing really came of it. Clearly frustrated with Chelsea’s performance as a whole.
Palmer 5
It was a night to forget for Cole Palmer. He had the opportunity to level the score just before half-time, but ultimately shot the ball over the crossbar from five meters away.
It was a night to forget for Cole Palmer. He had the opportunity to level the score just before half-time, but ultimately shot the ball over the crossbar from five meters away.