(Football news) Midway through the first half, local boy Hayden Hackney scored the game’s lone goal, giving Michael Carrick’s team a one-goal lead heading into next week’s second leg at Stamford Bridge.

To the annoyance of the visiting Blues supporters, Mauricio Pochettino’s team enjoyed almost 70% of the possession and had a total of 18 shots on goal, but they eventually lacked a decisive edge in the closing third.

Although Middlesbrough got off to a strong start in the match, they suffered a severe blow within the first 20 minutes when both Alex Bangura and Emmanuel Latte Lath were forced off due to injury.

Since the EFL Cup does not have video assistant refereeing, Chelsea was lucky to escape a penalty in the second minute when Axel Disasi crunched down on Latte Lath’s ankle after the player’s first attempt missed the far post.

After trying in vain to continue, Middlesbrough’s No. 9 was substituted, and Bangura went off with what appeared to be a hamstring injury after following back smartly to intercept Noni Madueke on Chelsea’s right. As a result, Boro’s injury total has now risen to an alarming 14.

Between the two host injuries, Cole Palmer, playing as a false nine, gave Chelsea their first opportunity on goal, sending it straight down Tom Glover’s neck. Then, after a corner, Blues captain Conor Gallagher hit a volley that went high over the bar.

Just after the half-hour mark, Palmer was given a fantastic opportunity to take the lead thanks to a misdirected cross by Jonny Howson that let the Chelsea star through on goal, but he missed the right post with his left-footed effort.

After pounced on a low delivery from dynamic winger Isaiah Jones, who caused havoc down the right flank for Levi Colwill, Hackney calmly slotted home a first-time finish from six yards out, Middlesbrough capitalized on that missed opportunity by the Blues. Five minutes later, the hosts broke the deadlock.

Also read: Real Madrid will play Atletico Madrid in Supercopa