Match Review: Boro 1 Chelsea 0

Boro will head into the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final holding a one-goal advantage thanks to Hayden Hackney’s deft finish.

It was an outstanding, battling performance from the threadbare Teessiders, who emerged from the contest fully deserving of the lead – having also been forced into two first-half substitutions.

Three days after the FA Cup encounter against Aston Villa, Michael Carrick made a handful of changes to the XI, Dael Fry, Emmanuel Latte Lath, Matt Crooks and Jonny Howson returning to the fold.

Elsewhere, midfielder Lewis O’Brien, who last featured for the Teessiders in September’s 3-2 win at Watford, returned to the matchday squad as part of a bench featuring five Academy graduates.

Even before kick-off, it was a raucous atmosphere inside the Riverside and the Boro players were treated to a full South Stand display when entering the field of play with an accompanying banner ‘Bring It Home Again’ – marking two decades since our 2004 triumph in this competition.

Buoyed on by the sell-out crowd, Carrick’s side carved out the opening chance when an ill-judged header was latched up by Latte Lath, who managed to test Djordje Petrovic early doors.

However, it would prove to be the striker’s sole contribution. He was forced off moments later due to an ankle injury, sustained from Axel Disasi's recovering challenge.

Rather than the Premier League side dominating proceedings, it was a level affair. Cole Palmer’s shot was pushed to safety by Tom Glover while appeals for a penalty against Enzo Fernandez were waived after a slick Boro move.

Already down to the bare bones of the squad, the Teessiders were forced into yet another alteration when Alex Bangura pulled up with a hamstring issue.

And the visitors started to see more of the goal. Intervention was required from Dael Fry to halt Noni Madueke inside the area, Levi Colwill turned a header over from the resulting corner and Palmer fired beyond the post.

Yet spirits from the stands and the pitch did not dampen. In fact, the decibels increased tenfold courtesy of Hayden Hackney’s first-time finish, placed neatly underneath the advancing Petrovic to hand Boro the lead.

The Blues would come again before half-time. Moises Caicedo blasted wide and Palmer clipped over the top before Glover denied the England international once more.

It was the Teessiders who raced out of the blocks in the second period, Josh Coburn coming close to connecting with Jones’ lofted delivery.

Meanwhile, Chelsea continued to grow frustrated at a resolute and compact Boro outfit; even when they managed to break through, they faced an inspired Glover, who got two hands to Madueke’s testing header.

Conor Gallagher was next to try his luck but could only turn and bobble off-target when under pressure.

At the other end, a superb sliding challenge from Matt Crooks set Boro away, Hackney leading the charge and Dan Barlaser looping over as Boro looked to put daylight between themselves and their Premier League counterparts.

Posing a multi-million-pound squad, Chelsea’s attacking threat was evident. Mykhailo Mudryk bent into the arms of Glover, Raheem Sterling whipped above the crossbar and Armando Broja flashed across the face of goal.

But, after overseeing four minutes of stoppage time, Carrick’s side will head to west London with a one-goal lead in the Carabao Cup semi-final.