Chelsea player ratings vs Middlesbrough: Cole Palmer and Raheem Sterling shine but Mykhailo Mudryk anonymous

The Blues overcame a first-leg deficit in emphatic fashion
Dan Kilpatrick @Dan_KP24 January 2024

Chelsea breezed into the Carabao Cup Final with a 6-1 (agg 6-2) hammering of Middlesbrough in the semi-final second leg at Stamford Bridge.

Trailing 1-0 from the Riverside, an own goal from Boro captain Jonny Howson levelled the tie after 15 minutes, and Chelsea raced into a four-goal lead by the interval, thanks to strikes from Enzo Fernandez, Axel Disasi and Cole Palmer.

Conor Gallagher set up goals for Palmer and fellow substitute Noni Madueke late in the second half before Morgan Rogers' late consolation for the visitors.

Here's how we rated the Chelsea players...

Djordje Petrovic 6

Well beaten by Rogers' excellent strike, having been relatively untroubled to that point.

Axel Disasi 8

Started and finished the move for the third goal and influential in the second, after bursting into the box and squaring a cross after Sterling's back-heel. Rogers stepped inside him for the Boro goal but the tie was long since done.

Axel Disasi scored a superb first-half goal
Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Thiago Silva 7

Composed defensively when called on and positive with his passing.

Levi Colwill 7

Back in the middle, he was a little jittery from the off but grew into the game as Chelsea took complete control. Avoided the yellow card which would have ruled him out of the final.

Ben Chilwell 8

Made the opening goal with a dart inside and incisive pass for Sterling. Boro found it hard to pick him up on an impressive return to the starting lineup.

Moises Caicedo 7

Stood up to the physical threat posed by Boro and recycled the ball well.

Enzo Fernandez 8

Burst into the box to finish smartly and put Chelsea ahead in the tie. A bustling performance.

Raheem Sterling 9

The architect of the first three goals, crossing for Broja before twice linking up with Disasi. Had the beating of his man down the right all night.

Cole Palmer 9

Finished calmly to make it 4-0 after pickpocketing Daniel Barlaser on the edge of the box and made his second goal look easy, an unerring strike into the corner.

Cole Palmer was typically cool for Chelsea
PA

Mykhailo Mudryk 4

Anonymous or wasteful in a poor 45-minute run out, notable only for a booking for dissent. Hooked at half-time.

Armando Broja 6

Credited with Howson's own goal, although probably thankful for the defender's intervention after a sloppy touch. Pressed well but rarely a goal threat.

Substitutes

Noni Madueke (Mudryk 45') 7

Capped a lively performance with a well-taken goal, albeit long after the tie was over as a contest.

Alfie Gilchrist (Chilwell 65') 6

Solid at right-back.

Conor Gallagher (Broja 65') 8

Grabbed two assists with a smart balls for Palmer and Madueke in an impressive run out.

Carney Chukwuemeka (Caicedo 71') 7

Composed as Chelsea saw out the game.

Leo Castledine (Sterling 84') 6

Made his debut late on.

Not used: Badiashile, Washington, Curd, Bergstrom.

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