There were lots of talks coming from the Middlesbrough corner after they beat Chelsea 1-0 at the Riverside Stadium a fortnight ago.

Michael Carrick led his charges to Stamford Bridge with a lot of expectations, but it didn’t take long for them to find out they weren’t match for Chelsea, as they went into half-time losing 4-0.

Chelsea’s 6-1 victory over Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup semi-final provided several key lessons:

Strong Team Performance: This match was one of Chelsea’s best performances of the season. Players like Cole Palmer, Ben Chilwell, and Raheem Sterling stood out with their individual brilliance, contributing significantly to the team’s success.

Effective Use of Opportunities: Chelsea showed remarkable efficiency in using the opportunities they created. This was evident in how they scored multiple goals by capitalising on Middlesbrough’s mistakes and creating scoring chances through effective team play.

Resilience and Comeback Ability: After a narrow defeat in the first leg, Chelsea demonstrated their resilience and ability to come back strong. They not only overcame the deficit but also dominated the match, showcasing their mental strength and tactical adaptability.

Depth and Versatility of Squad: The performance highlighted the depth and versatility of Chelsea’s squad. Players in various positions stepped up, proving that the team is not reliant on a few key individuals but possesses a well-rounded and flexible squad capable of performing at a high level in different scenarios.

Overall, the match underscored Chelsea’s quality, resilience, and depth – qualities that will serve them well in the final against either Liverpool or Fulham.