Palmer shines as Chelsea show signs of post-Abramovich progress at last

“It’s the hope that kills you,” reflected a less-than-optimistic Middlesbrough supporter as he made his way to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night. How Mauricio Pochettino can relate to that sentiment. Yet after a ruthless performance that blew away their opponents from the Championship during an impressive first half, perhaps Chelsea’s manager is finally on to something?

Reaching the Carabao Cup final is the least Todd Boehly and co could expect having already spent more than £1bn in transfer fees since stepping into Roman Abramovich’s shoes 18 months ago. This was compelling evidence that, after a nightmare 2023 with Graham Potter and all that, the future could be very bright indeed for Chelsea’s brave new era.

Related: Chelsea smash six past Middlesbrough to reach Carabao Cup final in style

Pochettino allowed himself a small fist-pump and smile when the outstanding Cole Palmer stroked home Chelsea’s fourth goal five minutes before the break to make it 4-1 on aggregate. How he will be savouring the opportunity to return to Wembley for his first domestic cup final appearance since losing against José Mourinho’s Chelsea in this competition in 2015.

While the former Argentina defender rid himself of the mantle of never having won a trophy during his spell at Paris Saint‑Germain, he was often criticised for a reluctance to take domestic cup competitions seriously during his five-and-a-bit seasons at Tottenham. It might have something to do with the fact that Chelsea still find themselves 12 points behind Aston Villa in fourth in the Premier League despite three successive wins but that approach seems to have changed significantly.

Pochettino had described this match as his biggest since arriving in west London at the start of the season and in his programme notes he made reference to the jubilant atmosphere that followed their dramatic penalty shootout victory against Newcastle in the previous round. “Those moments bring confidence and positivity to everyone and tonight we want to achieve the same feeling again,” he wrote.

However, it was the visiting supporters packing out the Shed End behind Tom Glover’s goal who created the atmosphere despite the swirling wind and rain at Stamford Bridge.

Their mood was only slightly dampened when Jonny Howson inadvertently diverted the ball past the Middlesbrough goalkeeper as he attempted to stop Armando Broja from finishing off a move started by the rampaging Ben Chilwell.

The England left-back has endured an awful run of injuries but his long-awaited return at last means Pochettino can field a more balanced defence with Levi Colwill looking far more assured in a central role. It was from the opposite flank that Chelsea doubled their lead, Enzo Fernández tapping home for his fourth of the season after Axel Disasi raced onto Raheem Sterling’s clever backheel.

Suddenlyas Middlesbrough’s hopes of becoming the first team outside of the Premier League to reach the EFL Cup final since the League Two side Bradford in 2013 were teetering on the brink of extinction. Disasi’s interception before applying the finish after a surging run forward made it almost inevitable and when Palmer – who excelled having shifted to No 10 after Mykhailo Mudryk was selected to start ahead of Conor Gallagher – made it four, even Boro’s supporters were stunned into silence.

To their credit, they soon found their voices again as Michael Carrick’s side refused to throw in the towel in the second half. But having withdrawn Mudryk at the break for Noni Madueke, Chelsea – who had recorded just three home wins between January and November last year but are now unbeaten in their past nine matches here – continued to pose a major threat down both flanks. Raheem Sterling had wreaked havoc against Middlesbrough’s left-back Lukas Engel in the first half, he must have been relieved to see the England forward switched to the opposite side.

Sterling was Boehly’s first signing when the 28-year-old completed his move from Manchester City in the summer of 2022 and he has struggled for consistency. His performance here shows he still has plenty to offer a young squad that lacks experience despite the presence of the 39-year-old Thiago Silva at the heart of the defence.

Sterling has not played for England since the 2022 World Cup quarter‑final defeat against France in Qatar and, having been ignored for the past four squads by Gareth Southgate, he now has a plethora of rivals to get past: not least Palmer. An assured first‑time finish with his right foot took the 21-year-old to 11 goals in all competitions this season for Chelsea as they made it 5-0 with 10 minutes to play before Madueke rounded off the rout moments later.

Conceding a sixth goal only made Middlesbrough’s fans sing even louder before an excellent finish from Morgan Rogers, who has been linked with a move to Aston Villa this month, gave them another reason to celebrate. They didn’t seem to care about being reminded by their Chelsea counterparts that it is them who are on their way to Wembley.

It may only be in the Carabao Cup but, as Pochettino – who shared a giant hug and a joke with Carrick at the full-time whistle before enjoying a tender moment with the home supporters – would testify, you have to start somewhere.