Chelsea’s miserable season continued on Tuesday night as they lost 1-0 to Middlesbrough in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.

Luckily for Mauricio Pochettino’s side, they will have a chance to put things right back at Stamford Bridge in two week’s time in the second leg of the tie in a bid to reach Wembley.

Hayden Hackney’s goal was enough to secure the win for the hosts, with Chelsea’s three-game winning run coming to an end at the hands of Championship opposition.

Mail Sport’s Lewis Steele was at Riverside to take a look at some of the things you might have missed. 

Hayden Hackney’s goal was enough for Middlesbrough to beat Chelsea on Tuesday evening

The Blues’ miserable season continued at Riverside against Championship opposition, with Thiago Silva (right) confronting fans at full time

How Boro star Crooks honoured fallen friend

Middlesbrough star Matt Crooks has a more colourful story than most — and dedicates much of his footballing success to Jordan Sinnott, the former Huddersfield trainee who died after being attacked on a night out four years ago this month.

Crooks became best friends with Sinnott at the Terriers and has raised more than £100,000 since his death, aiming to get underprivileged kids into sport. The Boro forward wears No 25, the same number Sinnott used to wear.

Crooks, 29, has epilepsy, while both of his parents are deaf.

Matt Crooks (pictured) honours his friend Jordan Sinnott, who died four years ago, by raising thousands for charity

A passage for history

‘You can smell the Bisto whiff of glory on the Riverside air. You can feel the crackling, electric anticipation of high drama and emotional turmoil. You can sense looming destiny. Tonight, against Chelsea, Middlesbrough have the chance to shape history.’

That lovely passage from Anthony Vickers in the matchday programme helped set the scene for a famous night for Boro, 20 years on from their historic League Cup triumph over Bolton at the Millennium Stadium.

Steve McClaren’s side were captained by Gareth Southgate that day, and were a cosmopolitan side inspired by the Brazilian Juninho and Dutch goalscorer Boudewijn Zenden. Two decades on, Carrick does not boast such riches, but his team are clearly full of fight and belief.

Michael Carrick’s side have plenty of fight and could reach the fianl of the Carabao Cup against the odds

This season is 20 years on from Boro’s historic League Cup triumph over Bolton at the Millennium Stadium

Hackney catches eye of top clubs

The scouts’ entrance was a hive of activity before the game. Although talent-spotters don’t wear club jackets as much as they used to, to avoid detection from eagle-eyed folk like this reporter, there was no escaping that Boro goalscorer Hayden Hackney had many eyes on him.

Liverpool, Tottenham and both Manchester clubs have kept tabs on Hackney, who was given a chance by Michael Carrick when he took over in late 2022 and then missed just one Championship match for the rest of the season.

His goal will be the main talking point but this was an accomplished all-round performance from the Redcar-born midfielder, 21. After kickstarting the career of last year’s Championship top scorer Chuba Akpom, now at Ajax, Carrick can add Hackney to his list of success stories.

Hackney is being monitored closely, and has been followed by the likes of Liverpool, Tottenham, and both Manchester Clubs

Veteran Silva makes history

Thiago Silva became the oldest player at 39 to start in a League Cup semi-final since Ryan Giggs in 2014. 

Giggs’ Manchester United lost that tie to a team from the North East — Sunderland. 

Not the greatest of omens for Silva, then, who enjoyed a good battle with Boro’s Josh Coburn here.