Middlesbrough defied the odds to beat Premier League outfit Chelsea 1-0 in the first of a two-legged Carabao Cup semi-final at a rocking Riverside Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Michael Carrick had called for a red hot atmosphere before the game and the fans duly delivered. The noise from the home fans crackled and they were bristling with nervous energy as the light show set the tone before the players emerged from the tunnel.
Early injury woes
The early exchanges threatened to dampen the spirit of the Boro faithful, as Emannuel Latte Lath and Alex Bangura were withdrawn through injury within the first 20 minutes of the match. It meant that the incredible tally of unavailable players for the encounter was taken to 14! The support was unwavering though, and Boro soon found their rhythm and asserted themselves on the tie.
Chelsea’s talent-laden outfit was kept at bay for large parts, but they were treated to the odd gift. In fact, to be truthful, Chelsea’s in-form, man of the moment, Cole Palmer had three very presentable first-half opportunities to open the account for the London team. He squandered them all, and it seemed to effect him as the game progressed.
Local talent made the breakthrough
Middlesbrough made their breakthrough in the 37th minute through local talent Hayden Hackney. Chelsea had just started to increase the pressure, when the midfielder, who hails from Redcar, opened up his body and slotted a left-foot finish into the far corner after good work down the right from Isaiah Jones.
An ecstatic moment for the England Under 21 star who less than two years ago was playing on loan for Scunthorpe United in League Two.
Mauricio Pochettino called for back-up as his side continued to falter, throwing on substitutes that commanded transfer fees Boro could only dream of, but they saw it through and seemed to cover just about every blade of Teesside turf as they snuffed out the considerable threat from the Blues. To put into context just how heroic a performance it was from Boro, their midfield of Dan Barlaser, Jonny Howson and Hayden Hackney cost just under £8 million. Chelsea had Enzo Fernandez and Caicedo in central midfield, whose transfer fees amassed an eye-watering £170 million.
History could repeat itself
Michael Carrick is now just one game away from taking his side to a major final in his first full season as Middlesbrough boss. The club won the same competition exactly 20 years ago, beating Bolton Wanderers 2-1 to lift the Carling Cup in Cardiff. On that occasion in 2004, they were steered by another ex-Manchester United coach in Steve McClaren. The parallels don’t end there, Boro also reached two league cup finals under Bryan Robson, yes, another former player and coach hailing from the red half of Manchester. It seems the north west based club have a habit of feeding Chairman Steve Gibson successful leaders.
Fans will recall the memorable two-legged semi-final clashes against Premier League opposition under Robson and McClaren. Boro beat Liverpool 3-2 on aggregate in 1998 to reach the final, where they unfortunately lost to Chelsea, and against all odds, a Juninho and Gareth Southgate inspired Boro side navigated their way past the Premier League invincibles Arsenal on their way to glory in 2004.
If Michael Carrick can avoid defeat to Chelsea in two weeks’ time, Middlesbrough will secure their place in a major final once again. It would be their sixth major final in 27 years. There is still plenty of work to be done, but Boro fans are dreaming.