Alfie Gilchrist N/A
(On for Gusto 90’) PA
Tom Glover 6/10
MIDDLESBROUGH RATINGS: Would have conceded in first half had Palmer not forgotten his shooting boots. Handed one chance on plate to Chelsea man after spilling easy shot - which he also did after breakShow more
Rav van den Berg 7/10
Dutch defender helped limit Sterling’s contribution to the bare minimum and was at the heart of a brave defensive effort that helped Boro seal a narrow advantage going into the second leg at Stamford Show more
Dael Fry 8/10
Like all of Boro’s defenders, had home fans' hearts in mouths at times with his determination to play out from the back, although that would change to a no-risk mentality towards end as Chelsea piled Show more
Lukas Engel 7/10
Danish defender started in central role but moved out to left due to Bangura’s injury. Up against a tricky customer in Madueke but the fact his oponent was taken off in second half tells whole story. Show more
Alex Bangura 7/10
Left-back was second home player in first 20 minutes to come off injured. The Sierra Leonean appeared to damage his hamstring under pressure from Madueke to leave the home side cursing their luck. PA
Dan Barlaser 7/10
Brilliant first-time ball over top to Jones down the right flank started move that led to opening goal. Should have done better with strike from edge of area that he sent high over bar in second half.Show more
Hayden Hackney 7/10
Pulled shot from outside penalty area wide of goal but then produced nice side-footed first-time finish to put his team in front after 37 minutes. Vital tracking back to deny Chelsea substitute GilchrShow more
Isaiah Jones 8/10
Bundled his way past Colwell down right-hand side of penalty area before providing perfect pass to Hackney who put side 1-0 up. Was always a handful whenever Boro launched a counter-attack. Booked forShow more
Jonathan Howson 7/10
Long-serving midfielder and captain guilty of dreadful pass that handed chance on plate to Palmer and would have been relieved to see Chelsea attacker to miss easy chance. Some vital challenges in bacShow more
Matt Crooks 6/10
Key player for Boro this season, with five goals and six assists, and might have added to his tally in second half if Coburn had threaded a ball through to him instead of attempting to get through on Show more
Emmanuel Latte Lath N/A
Boro’s top-scorer was gifted chance in opening minute courtesy of Colwill error but failed to connect with shot – and picked up injury from covering Disasi tackle. Tried to play on but soon limped. GeShow more
Josh Coburn 6/10
SUBS: (On for Latte Lath 4’) Early introduction for 21-year-old forward who had half a chance to make it 2-0 in first half but could not get show away under pressure from Gusto. Wasted another opportuShow more
Matt Clarke 7/10
(On for Bangura 19’) Another forced substitution due to injury and centre-back was quickly put under pressure by pace of Mandueke and Palmer. A man mountain at back in second half, though. Reuters
Djordje Petrovic 7/10
CHELSEA RATINGS: Very quiet evening for Serbian goalkeeper who only had to face two shots on target, one of which was the goal. Reuters
Malo Gusto 5/10
Had to make recovery tackle on Coburn after his own dreadful pass almost allowed Boro in for second goal in two first-half minutes. Always looking to push forward but crossing and passing often waywarShow more
Axel Disasi 6/10
On another day, and with VAR in action, could have given away first-minute penalty for crunching tackle on Latte Lath that ended the Boro’s man’s match. Ludicrous shot for goal in 55th minute from 25 Show more
Thiago Silva 7/10
Veteran defender was comfortable up against a side whose attacking forays were limited to counter-attacks. One slip in second half almost let in Coburn but the Brazilian recovered to snuff out chance.Show more
Levi Colwill 4/10
Disastrous first half from defender. Woeful back header in opening minute put Latte Lath through on goal, booked for pulling down Jones and then failed to stop run from same player ahead of opening goShow more
Moises Caicedo 5/10
Fizzed low strike just wide of target in first-half injury-time after the £100m midfielder had done little right in the game. Failed to track back with Hackney ahead of midfielder’s first-half goal anShow more
Conor Gallagher 5/10
Helped Chelsea dominate possession but there was a distinct lack of passes in behind the home defence from the Blues captain that his team needed to unlock the home defence. England midfielder saw shoShow more
Enzo Fernandez 5/10
Handled in own box in opening 10 minutes but referee waived away Boro appeals. Saw shot straight at keeper spilled by Glover but Palmer failed to finish. Nowhere near enough impact from World Cup winnShow more
Raheem Sterling 5/10
Non-existent as attacking threat in opening 45 minutes with all big chances falling to teammate Palmer. Slight improvement after break but still a frustrating 90 minutes for former Manchester City manShow more
Noni Madueke 5/10
A few flashes of his pace and quick feet but showed lack of composure with final ball, whether that be shot or cross. Saw header just after half-time comfortably saved. Reuters
Cole Palmer 5/10
Leading attack due to injuries but should have had first-half hat-trick only to send one shot wide, another over the bar after Glover’s error and have his last effort saved by the keeper. Got himself Show more
Mykhailo Mudryk 5/10
SUBS: (On for Fernandez 62’) Drilled shot straight at keeper after being teed-up on edge of box by Sterling. Reuters
Armando Broja 5/10
(On for Madueke 62’) One fine ball across six-yard only just evaded teammate Sterling but shots on goal himself on day when team were crying out for a finisher. APAlfie Gilchrist N/A
(On for Gusto 90’) PATom Glover 6/10
MIDDLESBROUGH RATINGS: Would have conceded in first half had Palmer not forgotten his shooting boots. Handed one chance on plate to Chelsea man after spilling easy shot - which he also did after breakShow moreRav van den Berg 7/10
Dutch defender helped limit Sterling’s contribution to the bare minimum and was at the heart of a brave defensive effort that helped Boro seal a narrow advantage going into the second leg at Stamford Show moreDael Fry 8/10
Like all of Boro’s defenders, had home fans' hearts in mouths at times with his determination to play out from the back, although that would change to a no-risk mentality towards end as Chelsea piled Show moreLukas Engel 7/10
Danish defender started in central role but moved out to left due to Bangura’s injury. Up against a tricky customer in Madueke but the fact his oponent was taken off in second half tells whole story. Show moreAlex Bangura 7/10
Left-back was second home player in first 20 minutes to come off injured. The Sierra Leonean appeared to damage his hamstring under pressure from Madueke to leave the home side cursing their luck. PADan Barlaser 7/10
Brilliant first-time ball over top to Jones down the right flank started move that led to opening goal. Should have done better with strike from edge of area that he sent high over bar in second half.Show moreHayden Hackney 7/10
Pulled shot from outside penalty area wide of goal but then produced nice side-footed first-time finish to put his team in front after 37 minutes. Vital tracking back to deny Chelsea substitute GilchrShow moreIsaiah Jones 8/10
Bundled his way past Colwell down right-hand side of penalty area before providing perfect pass to Hackney who put side 1-0 up. Was always a handful whenever Boro launched a counter-attack. Booked forShow moreJonathan Howson 7/10
Long-serving midfielder and captain guilty of dreadful pass that handed chance on plate to Palmer and would have been relieved to see Chelsea attacker to miss easy chance. Some vital challenges in bacShow moreMatt Crooks 6/10
Key player for Boro this season, with five goals and six assists, and might have added to his tally in second half if Coburn had threaded a ball through to him instead of attempting to get through on Show moreEmmanuel Latte Lath N/A
Boro’s top-scorer was gifted chance in opening minute courtesy of Colwill error but failed to connect with shot – and picked up injury from covering Disasi tackle. Tried to play on but soon limped. GeShow moreJosh Coburn 6/10
SUBS: (On for Latte Lath 4’) Early introduction for 21-year-old forward who had half a chance to make it 2-0 in first half but could not get show away under pressure from Gusto. Wasted another opportuShow moreMatt Clarke 7/10
(On for Bangura 19’) Another forced substitution due to injury and centre-back was quickly put under pressure by pace of Mandueke and Palmer. A man mountain at back in second half, though. ReutersDjordje Petrovic 7/10
CHELSEA RATINGS: Very quiet evening for Serbian goalkeeper who only had to face two shots on target, one of which was the goal. ReutersMalo Gusto 5/10
Had to make recovery tackle on Coburn after his own dreadful pass almost allowed Boro in for second goal in two first-half minutes. Always looking to push forward but crossing and passing often waywarShow moreAxel Disasi 6/10
On another day, and with VAR in action, could have given away first-minute penalty for crunching tackle on Latte Lath that ended the Boro’s man’s match. Ludicrous shot for goal in 55th minute from 25 Show moreThiago Silva 7/10
Veteran defender was comfortable up against a side whose attacking forays were limited to counter-attacks. One slip in second half almost let in Coburn but the Brazilian recovered to snuff out chance.Show moreLevi Colwill 4/10
Disastrous first half from defender. Woeful back header in opening minute put Latte Lath through on goal, booked for pulling down Jones and then failed to stop run from same player ahead of opening goShow moreMoises Caicedo 5/10
Fizzed low strike just wide of target in first-half injury-time after the £100m midfielder had done little right in the game. Failed to track back with Hackney ahead of midfielder’s first-half goal anShow moreConor Gallagher 5/10
Helped Chelsea dominate possession but there was a distinct lack of passes in behind the home defence from the Blues captain that his team needed to unlock the home defence. England midfielder saw shoShow moreEnzo Fernandez 5/10
Handled in own box in opening 10 minutes but referee waived away Boro appeals. Saw shot straight at keeper spilled by Glover but Palmer failed to finish. Nowhere near enough impact from World Cup winnShow moreRaheem Sterling 5/10
Non-existent as attacking threat in opening 45 minutes with all big chances falling to teammate Palmer. Slight improvement after break but still a frustrating 90 minutes for former Manchester City manShow moreNoni Madueke 5/10
A few flashes of his pace and quick feet but showed lack of composure with final ball, whether that be shot or cross. Saw header just after half-time comfortably saved. ReutersCole Palmer 5/10
Leading attack due to injuries but should have had first-half hat-trick only to send one shot wide, another over the bar after Glover’s error and have his last effort saved by the keeper. Got himself Show moreMykhailo Mudryk 5/10
SUBS: (On for Fernandez 62’) Drilled shot straight at keeper after being teed-up on edge of box by Sterling. ReutersArmando Broja 5/10
(On for Madueke 62’) One fine ball across six-yard only just evaded teammate Sterling but shots on goal himself on day when team were crying out for a finisher. APAlfie Gilchrist N/A
(On for Gusto 90’) PAMiddlesbrough v Chelsea player ratings: Jones 8, Hackney 7; Colwill 4, Palmer 5
Second-tier side secure 1-0 League Cup semi-final first leg victory
Gareth Cox
January 10, 2024
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