Chelsea find new Frank Lampard in Middlesbrough win as four players save Mauricio Pochettino's skin

Chelsea find new Frank Lampard in Middlesbrough win as four players save Mauricio Pochettino's skin

WATCH NOW: Sports round-up as Chelsea progress through to the Carabao Cup final

Lewis Winter

By Lewis Winter


Published: 23/01/2024

- 21:52

Updated: 23/01/2024

- 21:55

The Blues will play either Liverpool or Fulham in the final at Wembley

Chelsea have cruised through to the final of the Carabao Cup with a 6-1 second-leg win over Middlesbrough at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues trailed 1-0 following the first leg at the Riverside earlier this month but a dominant display put the tie to bed by half-time on Tuesday.


It took just 15 minutes for Chelsea to level the match on aggregate, as Jonny Howson poked the ball into his own net when it looked like Armando Broja would score.

Enzo Fernandez then turned the tie around when the World Cup winner stroked home from close range after smart work from Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi.

Axel Disasi, Noni Madueke and Raheem Sterling

Chelsea are through to the Carabao Cup final with a comfortable win over Middlesbrough

Getty

Disasi was getting forward a lot and got on the scoresheet himself 10 minutes before the break with a composed finish.

It was the Frenchman's first Chelsea goal since netting on his debut against Liverpool on the opening day of the season.

The game was all but over when Cole Palmer capitalised on a defensive error from Boro and slotted past Tom Glover in the visitors' goal to make it 4-0.

It was damage limitation for Michael Carrick's side in the second half as Chelsea took their foot off the gas but Palmer netted his second and Noni Madueke notched off the bench, before Morgan Rogers scored a fine consolation amid interest from Aston Villa.

GB News looks at what he learned from a comfortable, but important, night for Mauricio Pochettino.

Chelsea find new Lampard

Fernandez's goal was reminiscent of another player who used to wear the No 8 shirt for the Blues.

The 23-year-old's late run into the 18-yard box was akin to what Frank Lampard used to do on a regular basis at Stamford Bridge.

Fans on social media immediately noticed the resemblance to their record goalscorer.

One wrote on X: "Enzo Fernandez making late runs in the box reminds me of Lampard. Baller."

Another user posted: "Lampard esque from Enzo," while another put: "Enzo the new Frank Lampard who would of thought."

One fan thinks Pochettino is trying to convert Fernandez into a goalscoring midfielder, writing: "Is Pochettino trying to turn Enzo Fernandez into a Frank Lampard?"

Fernandez didn't score in any of his first 25 appearances for Chelsea after his £106.8million move from Benfica last January.

However, he has now netted five in his last 22 games in all competitions.

They may not quite be Lampard numbers just yet but without a prolific striker, Chelsea need goals from other areas and Fernandez is chipping in.

LATEST SPORTS NEWS:

Four players save Pochettino

Enzo Fernandez

Enzo Fernandez scored Chelsea's second goal in the win over Middlesbrough

Getty

With Chelsea sitting ninth in the Premier League, it is not a stretch to say tonight's game was a must-win for Pochettino.

The pressure has already piled up on the former Tottenham boss and exiting a cup competition to a lower-league side could have been curtains.

Pochettino needed his players on side and they certainly were against a hapless Boro.

Having Ben Chilwell back is so key and he led from the front as skipper.

Sterling didn't get on the scoresheet but played a role in the first three goals.

Axel Disasi

Axel Disasi put in a strong attacking performance at right-back for Chelsea

Getty

Getting him back to his early-season form is vital for Pochettino's short and long-term future.

Disasi continues to play at right-back in Reece James' absence and arguably had his best attacking game in a Chelsea shirt.

The Frenchman put the ball across for Fernandez's goal, while he took his goal like a seasoned striker.

Pochettino will be grateful for the trio's performance, with Palmer adding gloss to the win with his brace.

Manchester City's decision to let him go looks stranger with each passing match.

Liverpool or Fulham await in the final, with the Cottagers looking to overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit in Wednesday's second leg in west London.

You may like