It’s halftime in the semi-finals of the EFL Cup, and home is very much where the heart is—so far.
Both first legs went the way of the hosts on successive nights, although both ties are very far from over
The SBOTOP EFL Cup 2024 betting odds may point to a final between Chelsea and Liverpool for the second time in three seasons, but you cannot rule out Middlesbrough or Fulham.
The surprise to date came on Tuesday night at Teesside, where Championship side Middlesbrough were delighted to gain a one-goal advantage against big-spending Chelsea.
In a repeat of the 1998 final, which the west Londoners won after extra-time, Hayden Hackney scored the only goal, opening up his body to slide home an Isaiah Jones cross in the first half at a boisterous Riverside Stadium.
Boro may have lost six games at home in the Championship already this season, but try telling their die-hard fans not to dream about reaching the final, exactly 20 years after winning the tournament.
Yes, inconsistent Chelsea missed a host of chances and remains favourites to overturn the deficit in the second leg, but all the credit should go to injury-ravaged Boro, who had to do it the hard way.
In the opening minutes, Michael Carrick’s main striker, Emmanuel Latte Lath, was hurt by a contentious late challenge and had to leave the fray.
When the home left-wing back Alex Bangura then hobbled off in the 20th minute, fortune seemed to be frowning on Boro. Yet in an unexpected silver lining, Carrick switched from a back three to a back four and, albeit inadvertently, that revamp proved pivotal.
It means it’s advantage Boro before the second leg in west London in just under a fortnight’s time
Likewise, the second leg of the other tie will also be played in west London and, again, the home team will need to come from behind.
That’s after league leaders Liverpool did just that against Fulham as the EFL Cup 2024 highlights continued.
Two goals in four minutes turned the match on its head, with Curtis Jones equalising before substitute Cody Gapko grabbed the winner.
Just like with Chelsea, though, this was also a tie of missed chances.
The Brazilian Willian showed great control inside the area to slot in the opener and give Marco Silva’s side a deserved half-time lead.
Had they been able to add a second, it could have been a different story as, ultimately, Liverpool’s strength in depth told, and even though fortune was on the side of the Merseysiders with a deflected equaliser, for a fine display from goalkeeper Bernd Leno, the tie could have been over in the last 20 minutes.That means, just like with Boro, the dream for Fulham to reach Wembley – they last contested a major final in 1975 – and go on a silverware trail is still alive.
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