Chelsea take the early lead in the EFL Cup semifinal against Middlesbrough

Chelsea needs a huge result in the second leg of the EFL Carabao Cup semifinal against Middlesbrough. Chelsea lost 1-0 in the first leg of the semifinal game between the two. Chelsea wants to make the EFL Cup final in Mauricio Pochettino’s first season with the Blues.

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Middlesbrough did not let Stamford Bridge intimidate them, as they created a few chances. The Championship side tried to create danger in Chelsea’s box by showing quick passing. Middlesbrough was more organized in the back and had more of the possession. Most of the first five minutes were played in the Chelsea half as Middlesbrough played a few balls inside the box but weren't efficient enough to have a player free to take a shot. It almost looked like Middlesbrough was more in need of a goal first than Chelsea. Chelsea then grew into the game with a few passes in Middlesbrough’s half. Mudryk took the first shot for Chelsea but was blocked by a Middlesbrough player, which led to a corner kick.

Chelsea found a bit of rhythm and were creating chances against Middlesbrough. The intensity from Chelsea kept growing as the game continued, and then they had most of the ball possession. Thiago Silva and Colwill, the two center-backs of Chelsea, pushed further up the pitch and pushed Middlesbrough back.

Chilwill got the first biggest chance of the game as he went into the box and beat the Middlesbrough keeper to a ball in the box. He won the header, but it went over the bar. Shouts for a penalty were there as Chilwill was taken down after the header and the poor clearance attempt by the Middlesbrough keeper.

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Chelsea makes it 1-0 in the first 15 minutes of the game at Stamford Bridge!

Chelsea finally found the breakthrough early in the first half in the 14th minute. The returning Chilwill plays a beautiful ball in the middle of Middlesbrough defenders to Raheem Sterling. Sterling plays an easy pass to Broja, who tries to tap the ball into the empty net, but a Middlesbrough player accidentally puts it in his own net! Chelsea are on the right track to complete a comeback here at Stamford Bridge.