Summary

  • Use audio icon at the top of page for 5 Live commentary

  • FT: Chelsea 6-1 Middlesbrough (6-2 agg) - Howson own goal, Fernandez doubles lead, Disasi adds third, Palmer scores twice & Madueke grabs sixth; Rogers adds consolation

  • Blues will face Liverpool or Fulham (2-1 agg) in final

  • Get Involved: #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

  1. That's all, folks!published at 22:55 Greenwich Mean Time 23 January

    FT: Chelsea 6-1 Middlesbrough (Agg: 6-2)

    Chelsea players celebrateImage source, Getty Images

    That's it from us for tonight after an emphatic Chelsea win sends them through to next month's Carabao Cup final at the expense of Middlesbrough.

    You can read Emma Smith's report on a clinical Chelsea display here.

    Who will meet the Blues in the final is yet to be decided. Liverpool lead the other semi-final 2-1 going into the second leg at Fulham.

    We'll be back for that one tomorrow, be sure to join us!

  2. 'This game won't make or break our season'published at 22:54 Greenwich Mean Time 23 January

    FT: Chelsea 6-1 Middlesbrough (Agg 6-2)

    Middlesbrough

    Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick, speaking to Sky Sports about the away fans who were vocal throughout the loss at Chelsea: "The fans were incredible. When you stand there at the end it is mixed feelings. Because of what they gave us and to feel that was a nice moment in a way.

    "They have supported us all the way. It was nice for us to have that moment for them but just a shame we couldn't give them anything to shout about."

    On the rest of the season: "There is a lot to play for this season. This is not going to make or break the season. This was a bonus in a way. We have a good squad and we look forward to the rest of the season."

  3. 'We will learn from this experience'published at 22:52 Greenwich Mean Time 23 January

    FT: Chelsea 6-1 Middlesbrough (Agg: 6-2)

    Middlesbrough

    More from Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live...

    On their journey to the semi-finals: "It's huge for us. That's the first time any of our boys have played in a semi-final so it's not something they are used to. We have got some of the older boys who have had great careers and the younger lads who know what it means to play in that sort of game now.

    'They will learn from that after they have gotten over the disappointment. But yeah, we had a big night at the Riverside where we managed to beat a really good Chelsea team. We just couldn't get it done here, unfortunately."

    On Cole Palmer: "He is a real talent. Nice lad as well. Down to Earth and you can see when you come up against him he will go on to have a great career.

    "It's not nice when you are on the end of it but we can appreciate and respect how good he is."

  4. 'Chelsea were ruthless, but I can't fault our effort'published at 22:48 Greenwich Mean Time 23 January

    FT: Chelsea 6-1 Middlesbrough (Agg: 6-2)

    Middlesbrough

    Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "It's tough. It's hugely disappointing in the end because the boys have worked so hard to get here and in the first leg and be in a position where we come here and are right here.

    "Six shots on target, six goals. It's pretty ruthless, pretty hard and pretty brutal. I know there are a couple of goals where we could have done better but I can't fault the boys for that.

    "The effort and the way they stuck to it, I was really proud of them to be honest because that is not easy. I felt it was a bit brutal how ruthless they were.

    "It's tough and credit to them for sticking to it. It was a little bit of shellshock. We came here to play a certain way and we thought we were in it and then all of a sudden the writing is on the wall.

    "We kept going and playing and big moments unravelled a little bit. They scored from nowhere in some ways and then Morgan [Rogers] has a chance at a corner at 1-0 and we need them to go for us.

    "They went for us last time and they didn't go for us this time."

  5. Postpublished at 22:46 Greenwich Mean Time 23 January

    FT: Chelsea 6-1 Middlesbrough (Agg: 6-2)

    Morgan RogersImage source, Getty Images

    A tough night for Middlesbrough but they did at least get a goal.

    Morgan Rogers scored it and that means he is now top-scorer in this year's Carabao Cup with five.

    He's one clear of Liverpool's Cody Gakpo, who has a chance to respond tomorrow evening.

  6. Robertson set to return to Liverpool squadpublished at 22:42 Greenwich Mean Time 23 January

    Fulham v Liverpool (Agg: 1-2; Wed, 20:00 GMT)

    Harvey Elliott and Andy RobertsonImage source, Getty Images

    Chelsea must now wait to discover who they will play at Wembley and Liverpool have received a boost on that front.

    They expect to have Andy Robertson in the squad for the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final at Fulham.

    Jurgen Klopp's side go into the game at Craven Cottage with a 2-1 lead from the first leg.

    Robertson has been out for 13 weeks after suffering a shoulder injury while playing for Scotland that required surgery.

    "The medical team said it's a coaching decision, so he's in," said assistant manager Pep Lijnders.

    Read more here.

  7. 'Brilliant to be back'published at 22:39 Greenwich Mean Time 23 January

    FT: Chelsea 6-1 Middlesbrough (Agg: 6-2)

    Chelsea

    More from Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live...

    How good is Cole Palmer? "He is top. He is so chilled on and off the pitch. You can see when he scores it's so nonchalant. It doesn't faze him.

    "He is a top guy and a top player and it is important that he continues this. This season he has been brilliant and he is so important to us. We have a massive game on Friday and hopefully, he can help us again."

    What does the League Cup mean to you? "I'd love to win the League Cup. I haven't won it. I am looking forward to getting back there and hopefully win this time."

    On returning from injury: "I feel great now. Today was my first start in a while. I gave everything I had into the game today and saw how far I could get.

    "It is brilliant to be back. I love playing here in front of the fans. Thankfully we repaid them with a win because they were brilliant tonight."

  8. 'We knew what was up for grabs tonight'published at 22:35 Greenwich Mean Time 23 January

    FT: Chelsea 6-1 Middlesbrough (Agg: 6-2)

    Chelsea

    Ben ChilwellImage source, Getty Images

    Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "Before the game, we knew how important it was. There was no need to motivate anyone. We knew what was up for grabs. A Wembley final, it doesn't get much better than that.

    "We brought the energy and knew the crowd would get behind us if we started well and we knew it was important to get an early goal and we did that. Our press was important.

    "I think we pressed really well and caught them out a few times. At half-time 4-0, it was nice but it was important that we keep that momentum and didn't give them a chance.

    "We knew in the first leg it was difficult. I wasn't there but looking on TV, it looked like a difficult game and we knew what style of football they were going to play today.

    "It was important we got the early goal and then the crowd were behind us and we kept pushing. They tried to play out and thankfully for us, we caught them out a few times and got a few goals from that. It was nice to get a cushion and we could enjoy ourselves a bit."

  9. 'No time to relax'published at 22:31 Greenwich Mean Time 23 January

    FT: Chelsea 6-1 Middlesbrough (Agg: 6-2)

    Chelsea

    More from Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino speaking to Sky Sports...

    On Ben Chilwell's return: "It is really good because he is one of our captains. But of course, with him, we haven't had him for the whole season and now it is another period for him to cope for 90 minutes.

    "We know what we are doing and today he added the experience and quality. I am happy to recover this kind of player because we are going to get the benefit."

    On conceding late on: "I was really upset because we need to learn from that. We need to play seriously until the end. Sometimes it looks like you didn't finish the game and you lost a bit of focus.

    "We are disappointed to concede the goal but we need to use every single second to improve. It didn't kill my happiness but I was a little bit disappointed with the finish to the game."

    Can you relax and watch the other semi-final now? "Not too much relax because we will be on the training ground at 6:30am to prepare for the FA Cup on Friday.

    "That is another chance to go through so we need to prepare for the game. Friday is soon and there is no time to relax."

  10. 'People need to believe and trust in us'published at 22:28 Greenwich Mean Time 23 January

    FT: Chelsea 6-1 Middlesbrough (Agg: 6-2)

    Chelsea

    More from Mauricio Pochettino, speaking to Sky Sports...

    How important will the final be for you and your team?"It is really important. Sometimes we can think about the history of Chelsea and the missing players. We are young and we need to grow.

    "These types of games are a good experience for young players and it is about now growing and it will help us to compete. We are building a very good team. The mentality is good. We have plenty but we need time.

    "I think the performance, I was never disappointed with the performance - it was because we were not clinical. Today I think is our ninth game unbeaten and it is really good. It is a new project. We are building a team and sometimes it is normal to play worse. We played well and we didn't win but now it will be a big boost for us.

    "We don't have much time to prepare for Aston Villa and also with many injuries, I think we are very happy. People need to believe and trust in us and we go to the final with the chance of winning the first trophy of the season."

  11. 'We were very clinical'published at 22:26 Greenwich Mean Time 23 January

    FT: Chelsea 6-1 Middlesbrough (Agg: 6-2)

    Chelsea

    Mauricio PochettinoImage source, Getty Images

    Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino, speaking to Sky Sports: "Today we were very clinical in front of goal. We missed that in the first leg and we were disappointed. Today we were really good and I think that is the difference."

    On Cole Palmer: "He is a player with an amazing talent. It is a player that understands the game. He has the quality and the talent to see the situation and to read the game in another aspect.

    "He can play from the right, striker or in behind the striker. We try to give him freedom because in this type of game he can find the best position to help the team.

    "For me, [the best part] is when he presses and then the intuition to get the ball back. He is still young but he is doing fantastic for us."

  12. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 22:19 Greenwich Mean Time 23 January

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    Agree with most that it’s hard to criticise Boro when you look at the squad values. It was always going to be a long shot. But we contributed to our own downfall tonight. You just can’t play out from the back as often as we did against superior players. What maybe works against bottom half Championship teams doesn’t work against Chelsea.

    Chris

  13. Postpublished at 22:16 Greenwich Mean Time 23 January

    FT: Chelsea 6-1 Middlesbrough (Agg: 6-2)

    Chelsea can now look ahead to the final.

    25th February is the date for your diaries, Blues fan.

    They made the final of this competition two years ago but lost on penalties to Liverpool, one of their two possible opponents this year...

    Fulham will have something to say about whether there will be a repeat, though.

  14. Postpublished at 22:12 Greenwich Mean Time 23 January

    FT: Chelsea 6-1 Middlesbrough (Agg: 6-2)

    Mauricio Pochettino is talking on Sky now and says he is pleased with how clinical Chelsea were tonight.

    They scored with five of their six shots on target - plus the own goal.

    We'll have more from that interview for you shortly.

  15. 'This could be a turning point'published at 22:10 Greenwich Mean Time 23 January

    FT: Chelsea 6-1 Middlesbrough (Agg: 6-2)

    Glenn Murray
    Former Brighton striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

    They understood what was at stake and that was saving their season. This can be a kickstart, this can be a confidence booster.

    It takes time to develop relationships and understand how your manager wants you to play and how fit he wants you to be. I think this could be a turning point and things are starting to look up at Stamford Bridge.

  16. 'A great opportunity to get a trophy'published at 22:07 Greenwich Mean Time 23 January

    FT: Chelsea 6-1 Middlesbrough (Agg: 6-2)

    Chelsea

    Chelsea winger Cole Palmer, speaking on Sky Sports: "After the first game, we knew it'd be difficult but to get the win and go to Wembley for the first time this season, it's going to be a good day.

    "I missed three sitters in the first game so it was always in the back of my mind coming into this game. To score two and go through to Wembley, I'm happy.

    "We've not had the best of starts, there is no hiding it but to go to Wembley is a great opportunity to get a trophy and we're looking forward to it."

  17. 'It will be my first time at Wembley'published at 22:01 Greenwich Mean Time 23 January

    FT: Chelsea 6-1 Middlesbrough (Agg: 6-2)

    Chelsea

    Chelsea defender Axel Disasi, speaking on Sky Sports: "Today was a great game after losing the first game.

    "I'm happy because we showed another face and deserved to win. For me, it will be the first time I go to Wembley so I'm happy about this.

    "After the first game, we were all angry and the coach said we had to push and play hard.

    "He put me at right-back and I tried to do my best for the team.

    "We have to keep this mentality in the league also to win more games. I think we are in a good way and need to stay focused."

    Axel DisasiImage source, Getty Images
  18. Postpublished at 21:56 Greenwich Mean Time 23 January

    FT: Chelsea 6-1 Middlesbrough (Agg: 6-2)

    Michael Carrick takes his players over to applaud the Middlesbrough fans, who salute them for their efforts - not just tonight but throughout this competition.

  19. 'The final will be huge for Pochettino'published at 21:55 Greenwich Mean Time 23 January

    FT: Chelsea 6-1 Middlesbrough (Agg: 6-2)

    Glenn Murray
    Former Brighton striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

    It would be huge for him [Pochettino] and set a precedent as in his first full year at the club to win a trophy. It is still a major trophy and he will see that as the start of hopefully a lot of silverware for the football club.

    The fans want to be top of the league and challenge for the Champions League, but if they can win some silverware then that would be seen as a huge success and progression of this project at Chelsea.

  20. FULL-TIMEpublished at 21:51 Greenwich Mean Time 23 January

    Chelsea 6-1 Middlesbrough (Agg: 6-2)

    Chelsea are heading to Wembley after an emphatic win and an impressive performance!

    An own goal from Jonny Howson got them started, Enzo Fernandez, Axel Disasi and Cole Palmer made it four before half-time.

    Palmer got his second after the break and Noni Madueke got number six.

    A disappointing night for Middlesbrough, who led 1-0 coming into the second leg, but they did give their fans something to cheer with a goal from Morgan Rogers late on.

    It's Chelsea, though, who advance - in style - to the Carabao Cup final.

    Chelsea celebrateImage source, Getty Images