Chelsea needed a big result in this game against Middlesbrough. Chelsea were 1-0 down on aggregate after losing to Middlesbrough in the first leg. Chelsea was pressured to turn things around, and they quickly did so at Stamford Bridge.
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At first, Middlesbrough felt more comfortable in the game, controlling more of the ball and having intentions to score. In the 14th minute, an own goal by Jonathan Howson gave Chelsea the early lead. A beautiful pass by Chilwell found Sterling free in the box. Sterling passes it to Armando Broja and controls the ball. As he is about to shoot, Middlesbrough's Howson pushes the ball into his own net and scores the own goal. Chelsea started to get more comfortable after the first goal.
After Chelsea took the lead, Middlesbrough immediately responded with a shot on target, but Petrovic made the important save. Chelsea didn't back down from their control of their game as they continued to look for more chances.
In the 29th minute, Axel Disasi finds Sterling, who does a backheel back to the French defender in the box, to then pass it into the box. The ball fell to Enzo Fernandez, and as he was free, Fernandez did not mess up and scored the second goal for Chelsea. In one half alone, Chelsea completed the comeback and were leading 2-1 in the aggregate score.
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Disasi and Cole Palmer make it 4-0 for Chelsea and looks closer to the EFL Cup final
Late in the first half, Sterling finds Disasi in the box, and the French defender finishes past the Middlesbrough keeper. It was a quick play by Chelsea that caught the Championship side off guard. Chelsea looks close to making the EFL Cup without even playing the second half.
A terrible mistake by the Middlesbrough defense led Cole Plamer to easily get the ball, turn to goal, and finish the chance to score Chelsea's fourth of the night. Middlesbrough completely collapsed in the first half, and Chelsea are closer than ever to make the EFL Cup final as they now lead 4-1 on aggregate.
