Chelsea seal Carabao Cup final place with record-breaking win vs Middlesbrough

Having lost the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final clash against Middlesbrough, Chelsea could not afford any slip-ups on Tuesday night.

And they got exactly what they deserved with a six-goal mauling over the Championship side, including four in the first-half.

Jonny Howson's own goal set up the start of what will be a long night for Boro fans who have made the trip down to London on 15 minutes.

Quickfire goals from Enzo Fernandez and Axel Disasi put the Blues firmly in front on aggregate.

And before the first half was over, Cole Palmer capitalised on some shocking defending to make it four - and ultimately game over.

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Speaking on talkSPORT, commentator Jim Proudfoot could not believe what he had seen.

He said live on air: "This isn't a cup exit that is just elimination, it's bordering on embarrassment with the way things have unravelled for them.

"It feels like there is a goal waiting for Chelsea every time they try."

Speaking alongside him, former Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce said: "You feel sorry for Michael Carrick at the moment, his team have found it very, very difficult in this game."

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And Chelsea did not let up in the second-half as Palmer went on to score his second before Noni Madueke cut inside on the right-hand side to slot in before a defender smashed the ball into the roof of the net.

Middlesbrough did hit back, though, through Aston Villa-linked Morgan Rogers, who hammered home a consolation late into the contest, giving the travelling fans something to cheer.

The 6-1 win is also a new record in the Carabao Cup, the biggest ever League Cup semi-final second-leg win since Liverpool's 5-0 victory over Crystal Palace in 2001.

Middlesbrough had started the match looking in fine fettle as they looked to take a shock lead in west London.

But after settling some early nerves, Chelsea took full control on the pitch and on the scoreline.

Ben Chilwell made an immediate impact on his first start in four months due to injury, winning the ball in midfield before finding Raheem Sterling's, whose cross was hit in by Howson after Armando Broja's touch.

Fernandez was then found in acres of space in the box to double the lead and put Chelsea ahead in the tie.

Disasi won the ball in midfield before pacing into the box with Sterling sliding him in to tuck home the third before Palmer pinched the ball off the Boro defence to make it four.

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Chelsea will now face either Liverpool or Fulham in the Carabao Cup final on February 25.

The other semi-final will go ahead on Wednesday night at Craven Cottage with Liverpool 2-1 up.