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Chelsea reached the Carabao Cup final on Tuesday with a 6-1 thrashing of Middlesbrough in their semi-final, highlighting the gulf in quality between the Premier League side and their second-tier visitors.
Chelsea had squandered a lot of chances two weeks ago in the first leg, in which Middlesbrough won 1-0.
But Middlesbrough, missing key players through injury, could not repeat their defensive heroics and, after conceding an own goal to captain Jonny Howson in the 15th minute, were already 4-0 down at half-time.
Cole Palmer put two away for Chelsea and Enzo Fernandez, Axel Disasi and Noni Madueke also got on the scoresheet. Morgan Rogers scored a consolation goal for Boro in the 88th minute for an aggregate score of 6–2 in the draw.
Mail Sport’s Adrian Kajumba picks out a few things you might have missed.
Cole Palmer scored twice as Chelsea defeated Middlesbrough at Stamford Bridge
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Palmer gives former teammate chills
Cole Palmer’s ‘cold’ celebration was inspired by former Manchester City and England youth team-mate Morgan Rogers, now at Middlesbrough, and the Chelsea star rubbed it in by doing it again after scoring his tenth goal for the side in the first half Blues had scored.
Rogers, 21, scored at Boro’s death and showed a glimpse of the potential that has produced two bids from Aston Villa.
Chelsea host Villa in the FA Cup on Friday, but Rogers will suffer another defeat at Stamford Bridge even if Villa sign him before then.
This is because he has the same number of trophies after – ironically – playing against Villa in the third round.
Carricks in the dumps
It was a week to forget for the Carrick family in the cups.
Last Wednesday, Graeme Carrick’s Newcastle Under 18 side were dumped out of the FA Youth Cup 5-0 by Bournemouth and last night his older brother Michael saw his Middlesbrough side go the same way in the Carabao Cup.
Both Carricks were also 4-0 down at half-time.
Pochettino faces the Sánchez dilemma
Chelsea have no shortage of goalkeepers; three players are appearing in Mauricio Pochettino’s matchday squad more often than not this season – and a fourth is on his way back.
Robert Sanchez was out with a knee injury suffered at Everton last month, but the Spaniard is making encouraging progress in his recovery bid and there were hopes this week would see a step up in the level of training he can achieve. share in.
When he is fit again, Pochettino will have to make a decision.
Sánchez became No.1 after arriving from Brighton in the summer, but deputy Djordje Petrovic has done himself no harm since joining.