Caicedo accidentally trolls Pochettino with false claim about Middlesbrough

The Chelsea boss was speaking to the media when he was asked about their shock 1-0 defeat to Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg clash on Tuesday night.

That result means that Michael Carrick's side are in the ascendancy going into the second leg in two weeks' time, something that could have huge ramifications for the Blues' hopes of qualifying for Europe.

Pochettino admitted that Middlesbrough deserved huge credit for the result at the Riverside Stadium and recalled a conversation with £115million signing Caicedo.

The Ecuadorian midfielder played for Brighton against the Championship club in the FA Cup last term, securing an emphatic 5-1 victory in the process as the Seagulls reached the last four.

However that's not what Pochettino was told, as he remarked in his presser: "Caicedo was telling me his Brighton lost there last season.

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"Many Premier League teams when they play there lose.

"But we are still alive and will fight again to be in the final when at Stamford Bridge."

Pochettino added: "I think I saw the players today, very good spirit.

"Of course, we are disappointed with the last game, but it is the first 90 minutes.

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"Disappointed but at the same time, we are Chelsea and we cannot afford to lose this type of game.

"It's a different game [to the reverse fixture]. They are in a very good moment.

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"We didn't perform badly against Middlesbrough and we came from a few victories.

"We are 1-0 down, but we need to keep the belief.

"I think the team is feeling well and we are confident for tomorrow. I am so sure we are going to do a very good job."