Michael Carrick told reporters after his Middlesbrough team defeated Chelsea 1-0 in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final match, “I couldn’t have hoped or asked for anything more.” “I always emphasize that the following one is completely different and a new challenge. We’ll be prepared to perform, and the boys will be too. We will welcome the challenge and look forward to it because we are in an amazing situation.”
With the Blues having eighteen shots on goal as opposed to the home team’s six, Boro’s ability to maintain a clean sheet was almost remarkable. Cole Palmer wasted the Blues’ finest opportunity from a short distance. Emmanuel Latte Lath, Boro’s leading scorer in 2023–24, and full-back Alex Bangura had to be replaced in the opening 20 minutes of the match, dealing Carrick a double injury blow. Prior to the game, Carrick was without 12 senior players.
The hosts never stopped believing, though, and stunned Chelsea seven minutes before the break, with Hayden Hackney sliding the ball past opposition goalkeeper Dorde Petrovic after ghosting into the box to meet an Isaiah Jones cross. Boro had to dig in to hold onto their advantage, and rode their luck at times, but the final result was all that mattered.
Carrick is absolutely right that his team will face a completely different challenge at Stamford Bridge. But he has instilled an inner belief in the dressing room, which Chelsea have so far been lacking under Mauricio Pochettino, and his players will give everything to finish the job.
From Old Trafford, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS team may well be observing with an interested eye. According to reports, Erik ten Hag has been told that his job at Manchester United is secure. However, if their dismal 2023–24 campaign continues, it won’t be, and Carrick now has a genuine opportunity to present himself as a possible successor for the Dutchman.
Be the first to comment