Chelsea are through to the EFL Cup final after overcoming a 1-0 first-leg deficit to beat Middlesbrough 6-1 on the night, 6-2 on aggregate, to secure a Wembley showdown with either Liverpool or Fulham.
A Jonny Howson own goal gave the Blues a dream start, and further first-half goals from Enzo Fernandez, Axel Disasi and Cole Palmer all but sealed a spot in the final on Sunday 25 February.
Palmer scored his second and substitute Noni Madueke added a sixth goal late on for Chelsea before Morgan Rogers grabbed a late consolation for 'Boro.
How the match unfolded
Chelsea made two changes from the side that beat Fulham 1-0 in the Premier League last time out, with Ben Chilwell and Mykhailo Mudryk replacing Malo Gusto and Conor Gallagher.
The Blues went in front on 15 minutes after Howson inadvertently turned the ball into his own net as he challenged Armando Broja, with the Chelsea striker about to shoot at goal.
Fernandez doubled the home side's lead 14 minutes later, lashing in after Broja had scuffed his shot from Disasi's cutback.
Chelsea were now rampant and added a third on 36 minutes when Raheem Sterling squared for Disasi to slot in.
Palmer made it 4-0 with three minutes of the first half remaining, dispossessing Daniel Barlaser before coolly finishing past 'Boro goalkeeper Tom Glover.
Palmer scored his second goal of the night in the 77th minute, converting substitute Gallagher's cutback to register his 20th goal involvement in all competitions this season, before Madueke added a sixth goal with nine minutes remaining after his shot took a deflection off Rav van den Berg before going in.
From Stamford Bridge to Wembley! 😎#CFC | #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/AGhHKkAqjL
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 23, 2024
Who will Chelsea face in final?
Liverpool take a 2-1 lead over Fulham into Wednesday night's second leg at Craven Cottage.
If the Reds make it through it will be a repeat of the 2021/22 final, which Jurgen Klopp's side won on penalties.
Chelsea have now reached the final of the EFL Cup for the 10th time in their history, with only Liverpool (13) reaching the final more times in the competition's history.
The Blues' Matchweek 26 fixture at home to Tottenham Hotspur will now be rearranged at a later date.
