Hayden Hackney’s solitary goal determined the match outcome, securing the first-leg victory for the Championship team despite Chelsea’s lackluster attacking performance.
At the Riverside Stadium, tensions rose as opposing fans openly ridiculed the Chelsea team during their celebratory walk.
Before leaving the field, the 39-year-old Silva attempted to ease tensions among upset Chelsea fans.
Veteran Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, watching the incident on Sky Sports, commented, “They have to go over, look.”
Addressing the dissatisfaction among fans, it’s essential to acknowledge and aim to rectify things in the upcoming game.
Following the game, Chelsea’s head coach Mauricio Pochettino, when questioned about the altercation, mentioned not witnessing the incident and emphasized the remaining ninety minutes of play.
In a subsequent press conference, Pochettino clarified that Chelsea fans were reacting to Middlesbrough supporters and highlighted the support Chelsea received from their fans.
Regarding the internal disagreement among the supporters, Pochettino urged caution in interpreting and communicating the events accurately to the media and followers, avoiding misleading information.
The second leg of the semi-final clash against Middlesbrough at Stamford Bridge is scheduled for January 23, as Chelsea seeks a win to advance to Wembley.
With no European campaign this season and a mediocre performance in the Premier League, Chelsea’s primary opportunity for silverware might rest in the Carabao Cup. They also remain in contention in the FA Cup after defeating Preston.
Meanwhile, Liverpool and Fulham are set to clash in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg this Wednesday.
Chelsea’s busy schedule continues as they face Fulham in a local derby in west London on the following Saturday.
