X reacts as Chelsea disappoint neutrals everywhere by thrashing Middlesbrough in Carabao Cup semi-finals

Chelsea went into Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Middlesbrough not only with a place in a Wembley final at stake, but also hoping to avoid the embarrassment of failing to make it there ahead of an opponent from the league below.

Boro, who faced Chelsea in the 1997 FA Cup final but have only been a Premier League team for one of the last 15 seasons, opened up a 1-0 aggregate lead a fortnight ago at the Riverside Stadium.

Optimism that the underdogs might be playing under Wembley's arch next month was fairly quickly extinguished by a 15th minute own goal from veteran Boro midfielder Jonny Howson. Enzo Fernandez, Axel Disasi and Cole Palmer then ran up the score-line to 4-0 by half-time.

Another from Palmer and a late one from Noni Madueke inflated that to 6-0, before, Aston Villa target Morgan Rogers ensured travelling had at least something to smile about by the end.

Users on X, formerly known as Twitter, had plenty to say as usual.

Chelsea started by playing players in their actual positions. Always a plus.

The visitors did start well, but it didn't last.

The own goal was the early slice of luck Chelsea probably needed to settle any nerves.

Armando Broja was a bit crap but somehow very effective. His poor first touch was responsible for the ball bobbling in off Howson, while a scuffed shot then inadvertently set up Fernandez's goal.

That's £108m well spent if it means beating a Championship team to reach a Carabao Cup final.

Chelsea didn't pay quite nearly so much for Palmer. He got his tenth of the season, then his 11th.

Eyebrows were raised in September when cost as many millions as he'd previously played senior games, but it's hard to argue with such an impact.

Chelsea's third from Disasi slightly earlier was reminiscent of prime Ricardo Carvalho.

Madueke adding a sixth after Palmer's fifth was important for him after a stop-start season.

Ultimately, it was broken dreams for more than just those of a Tees persuasion.

Hope of seeing something special from Middlesbrough never truly extinguished.

There was time for a Chelsea debut for Leo Castledine and John Terry was pleased.

...and even time for a late Middlesbrough consolation too. It was a great finish from a player who may not be at the club by the end of next week.

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