The English League Cup semi-finals remain in the balance after the first legs, with second-tier Middlesbrough taking a 1-0 lead to Chelsea and Liverpool protecting a 2-1 advantage heading to Fulham.
A look at the teams ahead of the return matches at Chelsea on Tuesday and Fulham on Wednesday:
- Chelsea: Just when things appeared to be finally settling down at Chelsea under Mauricio Pochettino, the team threw in a dismal display in the first leg at Riverside Stadium to underline the work that still needs to be done to get back among England’s best.
Still, Chelsea might be favoured to reach the February 25 final, with the cups offering the best — likely the only — chance of silverware this season while the team is languishing in ninth place in the Premier League. Chelsea is still in the FA Cup but faces a tough fourth-round match against Aston Villa.
Of all the expensive signings made over the past two years, the most shrewd might be Cole Palmer from Manchester City. The 21-year-old forward has scored five goals in his last six league games and is Chelsea’s most creative player. He did, however, miss a great chance in the first leg.
- Middlesbrough: It has been 11 years since a team from outside the Premier League reached the League Cup final, with Bradford — then in the fourth tier — remarkably getting to the title match in 2013 before being hammered 5-0 by Swansea at Wembley Stadium.
Middlesbrough, managed by former Manchester United and England midfielder Michael Carrick, is in a good position to do so after a sturdy display in the first leg despite losing two players to injury in the opening 20 minutes. With two more players — Isaiah Jones and Jonny Howson — joining the injury list, three players cup-tied and Australia internationals Riley McGree and Sam Silvera at the Asian Cup, Carrick’s options are extremely limited. A back-to-the-wall effort will likely be required at Stamford Bridge by ‘Boro, which is 11th in the 24-team Championship.
- Liverpool: The Premier League leaders are the competition favourites as they seek a record-extending 10th League Cup title and a 4-0 league win over Bournemouth showed the form they are in, even without Mohamed Salah.
Salah is at the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt, though will soon be returning to England for treatment of a muscle injury.
- Fulham: Fulham are in the League Cup semi-finals for the first time and gave itself an outside chance of upsetting Liverpool thanks to the early goal by Willian at Anfield two weeks ago. Marco Silva’s team has only played once since then — a 1-0 defeat at Chelsea in the league — but has lost five of its last eight matches in all competitions.