Soccer-Chelsea thrash Middlesbrough 6-1 to reach League Cup final

Chelsea had squandered a hatful of chances in the first leg away two weeks ago which Middlesbrough won 1-0. But Middlesbrough, missing key players through injury, could not repeat their defensive heroics and, after conceding an own-goal through captain Jonny Howson in the 15th minute, were already 4-0 down by halftime. Cole Palmer put away two for Chelsea and Enzo Fernandez, Axel Disasi and Noni Madueke also got on the scoresheet.

Chelsea reached the League Cup final with a 6-1 thrashing of Middlesbrough in their semi-final second leg on Tuesday, underlining the gulf in quality between the Premier League side and their second-tier visitors. Chelsea had squandered a hatful of chances in the first leg away two weeks ago which Middlesbrough won 1-0.

But Middlesbrough, missing key players through injury, could not repeat their defensive heroics and, after conceding an own-goal through captain Jonny Howson in the 15th minute, were already 4-0 down by halftime. Cole Palmer put away two 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 a 6-2 aggregate score in the tie.

The Wembley final on Feb. 25 against either Liverpool or Fulham, who play on Wednesday, will offer some relief for Chelsea coach Mauricio Pochettino after a poor first half to the season, with the Blues sitting a lowly ninth in the Premier League table.