Middlesbrough ready for Chelsea in semi-final 2nd leg

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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.

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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.

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. Middlesbrough, managed by former Manchester United and England midfielder Michael Carrick, are in a good position to do so after a sturdy display in the first leg.

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