Chelsea hit Middlesbrough for six to reach League Cup final

Chelsea comfortably reduced their 1-0 first-leg deficit by beating Middlesbrough at home to reach the League Cup final on Tuesday, with the tie finishing on 6-2 aggregate as they shook off a struggling start of the season with now seven consecutive wins at Stamford Bridge.

Thanks to an own goal from Jonny Howson and goals from Enzo Fernandez, Axel Disasi and Cole Palmer, Mauricio Pochettino's side established a 4-0 lead before halftime and added two more by Palmer and Noni Madueke despite a late attempt by Morgan Rogers.

"Today, we were very clinical in front of goal. We missed that in the first leg, and we were disappointed. Today, we were really good, and I think that is the difference," said the Argentine after the match.

"We've not had the best of starts; there is no hiding it, but to go to Wembley is a great opportunity to get a trophy, and we're looking forward to it," said Palmer, who contributed a double.

The five-time winners will next meet either Premier League leaders Liverpool or Fulham, who play on Wednesday, in Wembley for the final showdown on February 25. The Blues last reached the final two years ago when they lost to Liverpool on penalties, and last won the title in 2015.

On Tuesday, the first blow of the night for Michael Carrick's side was self-inflicted as veteran midfielder Howson turned into his own net as he tried to prevent Armando Broja from tapping in Raheem Sterling's cross, then the floodgates opened on Middlesbrough as the hosts found their flow.

Disasi worked beautifully with Sterling to square for Fernandez to put the five-time League Cup winners in front on aggregate. He then showed the composure of a striker to stroke home Sterling's low cross for his second goal for the club. 

When Middlesbrough's Daniel Barlaser coughed up possession inside his own box, Palmer kept his head to roll in his 10th goal in 23 games since his move from Manchester City. The England international then stroked home Conor Gallagher's pass to make it 5-0 13 minutes from time.

"He is a player with an amazing talent," said Pochettino on Palmer. "He's a player who understands the game. He has the quality and talent to see the situation, to read the game in all aspects and is so versatile."

(With input from AFP)