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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Nizaar Kinsella

Chelsea player ratings vs Middlesbrough: Levi Colwill exposed as Cole Palmer wastes huge chances

Chelsea suffered a shock defeat away at Middlesbrough in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final. 

Hayden Hackney ghosted into the box to tap in Isaiah Jones's cross to give Michael Carrick's team a 1-0 lead going into a second leg at Stamford Bridge.

False nine Cole Palmer was the most guilty of wasting chances as Mauricio Pochettino opted to play without a striker. 

Armando Broja and Mykhailo Mudryk came on in the second half, but Middlesbrough secured an important lead ahead of a second installment in two weeks' time. 

Nizaar Kinsella was at the Riverside Stadium to witness the action.

Djordje Petrovic - 6

The goalkeeper couldn't do much about Hackney's close-range effort but was rarely tested otherwise. 

Malo Gusto - 5

He was less effective than he has been in recent weeks and took some heavy challenges down the right. 

Axel Disasi - 6

Disasi dominated his box against the physical Josh Coburn but had one dreadful 55th-minute shot. 

Thiago Silva - 5

His lack of pace was an issue as the left-sided centre-back - offered no protection to Colwill. 

Levi Colwill - 4

Colwill was constantly exposed at left-back as nearly all Middlesbrough attacks came down his side, including the moment that created the goal. He also missed a huge chance early on. 

Moises Caicedo - 6

The British transfer record midfielder was the one bright spark in the first half, creating a big chance and almost scoring with a good edge-of-the-box shot. 

Enzo Fernandez - 5

Fernandez wasn’t as decisive with the ball as you’d expect given such long spells of possession. 

Cole Palmer - 5

Palmer missed a host of first half opportunities, including an open goal and a one-on-one. 

Cole Palmer could have had a first-half hat-trick (Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

Conor Gallagher - 5

Gallagher wasn't his usual effective self in an advanced position, but had a decent shot fly wide midway through the second half. 

Noni Madueke - 5

Madueke linked well with Palmer and created chances but his finishing was poor and he was substituted early. 

Raheem Sterling - 5

The experienced winger was largely anonymous throughout but somehow stayed on the pitch for the full 90 minutes.

Substitutes

Mykhailo Mudryk - 7

The 23-year-old winger produced some good crosses and was the only creator in the second half.

Armando Broja - 5

Broja struggled to make an impact from the bench as Chelsea struggled to create while under pressure.

Alfie Gilchrist - N/A 

Unused subs: Bergstrom, Bettinelli, Williams, Golding, Washington

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