5 talking points as Chilwell inspires Chelsea to Wembley in Middlesbrough rout
Chelsea secured their place in the Carabao Cup final with a comfortable 6-1 victory over Middlesbrough at Stamford Bridge earning a 6-2 win on aggregate.
It was a week assigned as make or break for Chelsea's season with progression in two cup competitions on the agenda for Mauricio Pochettino. Michael Carrick may have arrived with a one-goal advantage but it was still the Blues boss under all of the pressure.
The first wave of relief might have hit when Jonny Howson took the ball off of Armando Broja to send into his own net. To lead the tie by the 29th minute thanks to Enzo Fernandez's strike will have lifted a real weight from Pochettino's shoulders however.
When Axel Disasi added a third goal before the half was out and Cole Palmer a fourth, the complexion of the game had entirely changed. The path to the final was secure and commentators were even suggesting the Blues were clinical, a rare thing indeed.
It looked like the west London side might coast in the second period with bigger challenges ahead but the brutality did not end. A second strike from Palmer and a goal from Noni Madueke extended the lead further.
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A late consolation awaited for Morgan Rogers to slightly lift the mood of travelling fans. Mirror Football takes a look at the talking points to arise from the match.
Ben Chilwell starts
The England international made his first start for the Blues since September and in his natural position having often been used higher up the pitch by Pochettino. It was a double boost for the west London side with the move also allowing Levi Colwill to move into the centre of defence.
Chilwell's impact was clear from the outset. He is an attacking tool that Pochettino has lacked for months and has exquisite timing in entering the opposition's box. The former Leicester City full-back was unfortunate to be denied a penalty in the 12th minute when he claimed the ball alone in the Boro area, only to be cleared out by Tom Glover.
There was not long to wait before Chilwell was involved again. The returning star pulled the strings as he drifted into the role of No.10 and having won the ball, played an exquisite pass to Raheem Sterling in the build up to the Blues opening goal.
Chelsea's captain on the night provided penetration moving forwards and balance to the side that has often been lacking when Colwill has played out wide. With Malo Gusto absent through injury, it made Pochettino's decision to play Chilwell in such a role easy and after such a performance should be convinced that it is always a wise choice given the defender's quality.
Chilwell impressed for the Blues (Darren Walsh)His substitution was a sensible decision as he continues to recover, but you could tell the difference when Colwill returned out to the flank.
Axel Disasi attacking hero
Given Chelsea's struggles to break down staunchly defensive teams, there is always a degree of anxiety when Pochettino opts to utilise a central defender at full-back. While Axel Disasi and Colwill have produced good performances, it is not their home.
Gusto's absence made it a simple decision to utilise Disasi however. With Reece James still recovering from surgery there is little option outside of development squad product Alfie Gilchrist.
Pochettino has previously noted that it was an outing defending Kylian Mbappe for Monaco that alerted him to Disasi's ability to play the role. That talent was not required at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday evening, but the Frenchman proved that he could deliver in the final third much like his compatriat, Gusto.
Disasi first interchanged well with Sterling down the right flank to pull the ball back in Broja's direction, who in turn sent play on to Fernandez to double Chelsea's lead. The 25-year-old defender was persistent in carrying on his run. From winning the ball on the halfway line, he then dropped it off before continuing into the box to add Chelsea's third.
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The test will be whether he can show such talent against greater opposition. He will probably be required to against Aston Villa.
Armando Broja conundrum
With speculation around his future and whether Chelsea will delve into the transfer market it was a night where the Albania international would hope to make an impact. In many respects he delivered.
It was Broja who was ready to strike the ball when Howson sent the Blues into the lead and it was his dragged pass that found Fernandez for the Blues second. The young forward did not inspire complete confidence in each moment but he made sure to have a telling contribution and in turn that will bring confidence.
He did not find the goal he would have hoped for, and that may yet leave a question mark for the club on a day where Victor Osimhen noted he knew where his next step would take him. With Aston Villa and Liverpool to play in the next eight days, it could prove a pivotal week in the career of the young striker.
Broja played a key role to put Chelsea in front (Darren Walsh)A chance for debuts?
Chelsea, much like Middlesbrough, still have extensive injury problems on their hands and some onlookers may question the quality that was on the west London bench.
Pochettino has started to gain more options as members of his squad return however, and even in the absences of Gusto, Christopher Nkunku, Reece James and others, was able to call upon Noni Madueke, Carney Chukwuemeka and Conor Gallagher
Given the comfort on show, and another crucial cup match at the end of the week, it was perhaps an evening where opportunities for youngsters might have been appreciated.
Pochettino once again chose to name two goalkeepers on the bench, and while it would have been a proud moment for Ted Curd to experience a matchday, the chance of earning minutes was sparse.
That Leo Castledine made his debut should be celebrated however. Injury cruelly denied him the opportunity in the FA Cup earlier this month and the 18-year-old is one of the leading figures for the Blues' development squad. A big moment for a big talent.
Chance for a trophy and European qualification
From the outset, Mauricio Pochettino declared that the Carabao Cup was important. He has been unequivocal in that no matter the opposition and while the 51-year-old has rotated and rested in the competition, it has been with a light touch.
It has been an avenue to start off his tenure with success but also to deliver upon a target. So far they have passed every test.
Chelsea sit ninth in the Premier League table and nine points behind fifth-placed Tottenham and four points from West Ham in sixth. European dreams have not yet exited Stamford Bridge, but in the cup, the Blues are one game away. That is not a lot.
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