09 January 2024 , 22:46
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Thiago Silva eased tensions with a group of furious Chelsea fans following their limp 1-0 defeat to second-tier Middlesbrough on Tuesday.
The Blues were beaten in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final by Hayden Hackney's first-half goal, giving Boro a slender advantage going into round two which takes place at Stamford Bridge in a fortnight. After referee Samuel Barrott blew for full-time, boos rang around the away section of the Riverside, as only some of Chelsea's players sheepishly made their way over to applaud their travelling supporters.
A group of Blues fans who'd made the 510-mile round trip vented their fury and began slating the players as they trudged over. Silva, 39, was then seen jogging over to some emotionally charged supporters, seemingly in an attempt to play peacemaker.
The Brazilian centre-back was followed by team-mates Armando Broja, Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill. The Chelsea supporters who Silva interacted with were then seen giving the 39-year-old a thumbs-up and applauding him.
Blues manager Mauricio Pochettino asked about the incident and told Sky Sports: "I didn't see what happened. I saw nothing about that, only of course the fans should feel disappointed. But there are still 90 minutes to play."
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Sky presenter Mark Chapman explained as footage of Silva speaking to supporters rolled: "The players went over, a few of them, and the fans were frustrated. Thiago Silva tried to calm everything down. Not all the Chelsea players went over and obviously, some fans are angrier than others."
It was no surprise to see Chelsea fans so angry after the final whistle, having lost a League Cup match to a side in the second division - in 90 minutes - for the first time since Huddersfield Town beat them 25 years ago.
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Pochettino also confessed to BBC Radio 5 Live: "It is difficult to talk about our performance. We made some mistakes where we were punished and they scored. It was difficult to break down and we created some chances, but we were not clinical enough. Now we need to think for Fulham [on Saturday] and then prepare for the second leg."
The Argentine then admitted: "The frustration is we are disappointed. We have 90 minutes at Stamford Bridge and we will be positive in two weeks' time where we can change the reality."
Thiago Silva felt the need to ease tensions (PA)It was delight for Middlesbrough, though, as captain Jonny Howson said on Sky: "We are still in this tie. We wanted to make it a game. These chances don't come around too often. We have to make the most of it, give it your best shot."
Goalscorer and academy graduate Hackney added: "We stuck to the plan, kept it tight and caught them on the counter. It was amazing. We have done well tonight but it is a different game away from home and we will give it our best shot."