Michael Carrick celebrated Middlesbrough’s first-leg advantage in the Carabao Cup semi-final as the proudest moment of his managerial career. Middlesbrough, a Championship side, secured a 1-0 lead over Chelsea, and Carrick expressed his immense pride in the team’s performance, highlighting the unity and support from the fans.

Hayden Hackney, in-demand talent, scored the sole goal in the first half after Chelsea’s Cole Palmer missed several opportunities. Carrick commended the discipline, tactical intelligence, and quality displayed by his players, emphasizing their collective effort to empty the tank on the pitch.

Carrick acknowledged that it’s only halftime in the tie but encouraged his players to celebrate and embrace the challenge ahead. He emphasized the different dynamics of the next leg and expressed readiness for the upcoming encounter.

On the Chelsea side, manager Mauricio Pochettino admitted that his team played okay but was punished for mistakes in both penalty areas. Pochettino highlighted the lack of clinical finishing and stressed the need to be positive and win the second leg in two weeks to reach the final.

Regarding a fracas in the away end involving Chelsea fans, Pochettino clarified that the fans were reacting to Middlesbrough supporters, not their own players. He urged caution in interpreting the situation and affirmed that Chelsea fans are fantastic with the team.