Pat Nevin
Former Chelsea and Scotland winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

Middlesbrough's shape has changed, they are now looking like they have a back four and that might help Isaiah Jones a bit.

Jones might be able to get further up the field and get the ball in the final third.

Stewart Downing
Former Middlesbrough and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

What a blow, Michael Carrick must be pulling his hair out.

The team is picking itself at the minute, you have got to be careful now Middlesbrough.

And the substitution signal comes from the Boro physio. That's two changes inside only 20 minutes. Alex Bangura can't continue and on comes Matt Clarke.

That's Emmanuel Latte Lath and Bangura out injured already for Middlesbrough.

Image source, Getty Images

Middlesbrough have already had one injury and could now have another one. Alex Bangura has done his hamstring, when trying to challenge with Noni Madueke, and Michael Carrick is probably going to be forced into another change.

A couple of corners back-to-back from Chelsea on the right. Tom Glover in the Middlesbrough goal opts to punch and it falls to Conor Gallagher, but he can only send his volley well over the top.

Would've been easier for Glover to catch that. Big-game nerves from the home keeper?

Mike: And that's why we need VAR. Love it or hate it. That is a stonewall penalty and such an important decision for 'Boro in a game like this.

David: It should have been a penalty and the fouled player has to go off injured. There are pros and cons to not having VAR. This falls very much into the latter category.

Dan: Anywhere else on the pitch and that is a yellow card and free kick. Why is it not the same in the area?

On Axel Disasi's challenge on Emmanuel Latte Lath.

Chelsea defender Thiago Silva (39 years, 109 days) is the oldest player to start an EFL Cup semi-final since Ryan Giggs played for Manchester United against Sunderland in 2014 (40 years, 39 days).

Pat Nevin
Former Chelsea and Scotland winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

Middlesbrough have started well and have created a couple of half chances.

On top of that they have a comfort on the ball, showing real belief playing out from the back.

Middlesbrough want a penalty with the ball bouncing up at Enzo Fernandez, but no handball given. It's been a very bright start from Michael Carrick's Championship side.

Fernandez had been given a shove by a Boro man behind him so it would've been incredibly harsh.

James

Stewart Downing
Former Middlesbrough and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

The way Boro are wanting to play Latte Lath is going to be a big miss.

Big blow for Middlesbrough and another injury to Michael Carrick's list which is getting bigger and bigger.

Image source, Getty Images

Emmanuel Latte Lath looks in trouble after getting injured in that challenge with Axel Disasi.

That's a massive blow for the hosts as their number nine has to go off after five minutes and on comes Josh Coburn, who scored the winner in an FA Cup tie against Tottenham in March 2022.

The only Boro fan in Puerto Rico.

Emmanuel Latte Lath almost gets a shot away within the opening 60 seconds after a loose header from Levi Colwill and a strong, debatable challenge from Axel Disasi.

We don't have VAR in use tonight, so Disasi gets away with that one. Could've been a penalty.

It's a packed Riverside and what an atmosphere. And here we go.

We have Pat Nevin and Stewart Downing on co-commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live so press the play button at the top to listen along.

Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick, speaking to Sky Sports: "The players are looking forward to the game and they deserve to be here - it will be a tough game. It is going to take everything."

On team news and formation: "We will have to wait and see. Football is evolving all the time and I am sure they will come up with things where we will have to adapt.

"Against players like this we have to adapt and be flexible."

Stewart Downing
Former Middlesbrough and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

Matt Crooks is a handful when he plays and he chips in with important goals.

He is a nightmare, but that is what you have got to do against Chelsea - you need to make them feel uncomfortable.

If you let Chelsea get control then Middlesbrough will be in trouble.

Chelsea

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino, speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the game. On changes made: "We are a little bit short because of the issues and the circumstances.

"We have another game since Saturday and we have to manage the players and add some fresh players. It is important to the team and I think we can perform.

"Today we are going to use Cole Palmer differently to what we do in the Premier League."

On the importance of the EFL Cup: "It is really important and the semi-final is important.

"I hope we can perfrom well today and that is going to be the first thing - it is how we approach the game."

Liverpool entertain Fulham in the first leg of the other semi-final at Anfield tomorrow before the second leg at Craven Cottage on Wednesday, 24 January.

The second leg of tonight's tie is at Stamford Bridge the day before with the Wembley final on Sunday, 25 February.

Whoever wins the tournament will be playing in European competition next season, although Liverpool (if it is them) are very likely to qualify anyway through their league position.