Middlesbrough midfielder and former LFE apprentice Hayden Hackney scored the only goal of the game as Middlesbrough recorded a famous win in their Carabao Cup semi final first leg clash with Premier League giants and five time competition winners, Chelsea.
After defeating Huddersfield Town, Bolton Wanderers, Bradford City, Exeter City and Port Vale in their Carabao Cup run so far, Boro went into this two legged tie as overwhelming underdogs.
Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea side dominated possession and missed two glaring first half chances through Cole Palmer, before Hayden Hackney arrived at front post to convert Isaiah Jones’ low driven cross to give Boro a crucial 1-0 lead in the 37th minute.
It’s been a memorable few days for the Redcar born Academy graduate, who also captained Michael Carrick’s side for the first ever time in their narrow 1-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa on Saturday in the FA Cup.
Speaking about Hackney after Boro’s win last night, the aforementioned Michael Carrick was full of praise for the 21-year-old. “It couldn’t have happened to a nicer lad,” Carrick told Boro Live. “It was fully deserved. It was great to see. He’s worked hard to get back and this game was his target over a period of time, with Saturday being a bit of a bonus for him. It was a special moment.”
Middlesbrough will travel to Stamford Bridge for the return leg on the 23rd of January.
