Middlesbrough vs Chelsea LIVE commentary: No VAR as Carrick’s side bid to shock Blues in Carabao Cup semi-final first leg – kick-off time, team news and how to follow

Live Blog

Updated: 19:21, 9 Jan 2024Chelsea will bid to take a giant step towards the Carabao Cup final when they take on Middlesbrough in their semi-final first leg this evening.

Mauricio Pochettino has overseen an indifferent first season in charge of the Blues but his side are still favourites to reach next month’s Wembley showpiece.

Chelsea avoided ties against Premier League rivals Liverpool and neighbours Fulham after being drawn against Boro, who are languishing in mid-table in the Championship.

Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at the Riverside to kick-off at 8pm
Live commentary: talkSPORT website stream HERE, via the app HERE
Match to be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event and Football
Middlesbrough: Glover, Van den Berg, Fry, Engel, Bangura, Barlaser, Hackney, Jones, Howson, Crooks, Latte Lath
Subs: Jones, Clarke, Gilbert, Coburn O’Brien, Kavanagh, McCabe, Bridge, Bilongo
Chelsea: Petrovic, Gusto, Disasi, Thiago Silva, Colwill, Caiedo, Fernandez, Gallagher, Madueke, Palmer, Sterling
Subs: Bettinelli, Bergstrom, Gilchrist, Williams, Golding, Mudryk, Washington, Broja

FOLLOW OUR LIVE MATCH BLOG BELOW FOR REGULAR UPDATES…

Middlesbrough vs Chelsea: Pre-match facts

Middlesbrough are playing in their first League Cup semi-final since the 2003-04 campaign, when they eliminated Arsenal en route to winning the trophy. They’ve progressed from each of their last three semi-final ties in the competition, also doing so in 1996-97 and 1997-98.
This is Chelsea’s 16th appearance in the League Cup semi-finals, progressing to the final nine times previously. They’ve won their last two ties at this stage, last going out to Arsenal in 2017-18.

Carrick looking for inspiration
Michael Carrick has told his player to take inspiration from Middlesbrough’s League Cup victory in 2004.

It’s nearly 20 years to the day that the Teesiders won their first major trophy.

It was a special day for all connected with Boro and Carrick hopes their achievements can help his side this evening.

Speaking ahead of the game, he said: “It feels a long time ago but it was a major part of the history of the club and a massive success.

“So I’m fully aware of what that means to the supporters and so many people connected to this club.

“I remember Juninho and Gareth were playing. I’ve seen the pictures up here. That’s the impact football can have, you can create special, special memories and special days for people.”

“Tomorrow’s an unbelievable opportunity.

“It’s a huge, huge day for us. There’s a freshness about it. I can feel it around the players the club and the town. Hopefully it’ll be a special night, we’ll enjoy it and embrace it. But we mustn’t get carried away just yet.”

Credit: Getty
Madueke sets out aims
Chelsea winger Noni Madueke finally broke into the first team over the festive period, and he’s looking forward to the game.

Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “It’s a very important game. Credit to Middlesbrough for getting this far, so we can’t underestimate them.

“It’s going to be a tough game, but the boys are ready.

“We have to match their intensity that they are going to come with, and then our ability should shine through.”

Middlesbrough vs Chelsea: Team news
Okay, so it’s four changes from the 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa in the FA Cup as Dael Fry, Matt Crooks, Emmanuel Latte Lath and Jonny Howson come in for Sam Greenwood, Matt Clarke, Morgan Rogers and Josh Coburn.

Meanwhile, Chelsea name a side without a recognised striker.

Armando Broja is on the bench, meaning Raheem Sterling is likely to lead the line.

Middlesbrough vs Chelsea: Teams
The teams are in!

Middlesbrough: Glover, Van den Berg, Fry, Engel, Bangura, Barlaser, Hackney, Jones, Howson, Crooks, Latte Lath

Subs: Jones, Clarke, Gilbert, Coburn O’Brien, Kavanagh, McCabe, Bridge, Bilongo

Chelsea: Petrovic, Gusto, Disasi, Thiago Silva, Colwill, Caiedo, Fernandez, Gallagher, Madueke, Palmer, Sterling

Subs: Bettinelli, Bergstrom, Gilchrist, Williams, Golding, Mudryk, Washington, Broja

Middlesbrough vs Chelsea: Pre-match facts

This will be the fourth League Cup meeting between Middlesbrough (1 win) and Chelsea (2 wins), with all coming with Chelsea as a top-flight club and Middlesbrough in the second tier. This is the first such meeting since the 1998 final, and a 2-0 win for the Blues at Wembley.
Chelsea have won their last nine meetings with Middlesbrough in all competitions by an aggregate score of 21-0. In English football history, only Liverpool have won more consecutive games against an opponent while keeping a clean sheet each time (10 vs West Bromwich Albion between 1997 and 2010).

Calm before the storm
It’s a freezing night on Teeside, but it should be a red-hot atmosphere in just over an hour’s time.

This is a big chance for Middlesbrough to get to Wembley, but with a trip to Stamford Bride looming, they need to have something to take to west London.

Middlesbrough vs Chelsea
There will be no VAR in operation tonight because Middlesbrough are in the Championship and don’t have the technology.

This means neither tie will have VAR and won’t be at Anfield or Craven Cottage for the Liverpool vs Fulham semi-final.

Wembley closing in
Hello, and welcome to talkSPORT.com’s live coverage of Middlesbrough’s home tie against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final.

This is the first leg and the Riverside is set to be packed to the rafters as the Championship side take on the Blues for a place at Wembley.

It’s all to play for and the home crowd are sure to be well up for this one, while Chelsea will look to be professional and get the job done.

It should be a thrilling cup tie, so let’s get going.