Chelsea missed a host of chances as Championship side Middlesbrough earned a slender advantage in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final at a boisterous Riverside Stadium.
Hayden Hackney scored the only goal, opening up his body to slide home an Isaiah Jones cross in the first half. Cole Palmer missed three presentable opportunities as Chelsea, who had 18 shots, but only five on target, failed to score for the sixth time this season.
Reports say Chelsea, who sits 10th, have missed 40 big chances in the Premier League so far this season, the second-highest total in the top flight, behind Liverpool, 41.
MEANWHILE, The second leg will take place on Tuesday, January 23 2024 at 07:45 Pm. Liverpool will face Fulham in the other semi-final, with the final taking place at Wembley on Sunday, 25 February 2024.