Carabao Cup Semi-Final second leg: Pre-match stat pack

Carabao Cup

Words: EFL

The second leg of the Carabao Cup Semi-Finals are almost upon us, as two teams prepare to book a date at Wembley in the Final.

Here are the standout stats you need to know ahead of kick-off...

Chelsea v Middlesbrough:

  • Chelsea have progressed to the final on two of the last three occasions they’ve lost the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final tie, with the second leg coming at Stamford Bridge both times (v Arsenal in 1997-98 and Tottenham in 2018-19).
  • Middlesbrough have progressed from their last three EFL Cup semi-final ties, most recently against Arsenal in 2003-04 en route to winning the trophy. However, they’ve been eliminated from the competition both times when their semi-final second leg was away from home despite avoiding defeat in the first leg each time (vs Man City in 1975-76 and Manchester United in 1991-92).
  • Middlesbrough are looking to become the first side from a lower division to eliminate Premier League opposition at the EFL Cup semi-final stage since Bradford City in 2012-13 (against Aston Villa). Meanwhile, the last top-flight side to lose both legs of a semi-final tie against a lower tiered side were Chelsea (against Sheffield Wednesday in 1990-91).
  • Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 21 home games against Middlesbrough in all competitions (W15 D6), since a 2-1 loss in the top-flight in March 1975. They’ve kept a clean sheet in their last nine against them at home, with Alen Boksic the last Boro player to score at Stamford Bridge in September 2001.
  • Chelsea have won 15 of their last 16 EFL Cup home games against sides from a lower division (D1), with their last such defeat coming in October 1999 against Huddersfield Town (0-1). The Blues have scored 53 goals across these 16 games, an average of 3.3 per game.
  • Middlesbrough have won all six of their EFL Cup games this season. Only two teams have won more consecutively while consistently outside the top-flight – Bristol City between 1987 and 1989 (8), and QPR between 1966 and 1967 (9).
  • All six of Chelsea’s EFL Cup goals this season have been scored by different players – they last had more different goalscorers in a single campaign (excluding own goals) in 2017-18 (7).
  • Hayden Hackney scored Middlesbrough’s winner in the first leg against Chelsea – the only player to score in both legs of an EFL Cup semi-final tie for the Boro is Paul Merson in 1997-98 against Liverpool.

Fulham v Liverpool:

  • Liverpool have progressed to the final on eight of the nine previous occasions they’ve won the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final tie. The exception was in 1997-98, being eliminated by Middlesbrough after winning the first leg at Anfield 2-1.
  • Fulham are winless in their last five home games against Liverpool (D2 L3) since a 1-0 win in the Premier League in December 2011.
  • If they qualify, Fulham would be the 37th different team to reach the EFL Cup final, and first maiden finalists since Bradford and Swansea in 2012-13. Only 25% of teams to lose the first leg of a semi-final tie have reached the final (23/92).
  • If Liverpool avoid defeat they will reach the EFL Cup final for a record 14th time, at least four more than any other side. The Reds have conceded in all four of their wins in the competition this season – the last team to win more consecutively without keeping a clean sheet were Tottenham (6 between the 2007-08 semi-final second leg and 2008-09 semi-final first leg).
  • As a Premier League side, Fulham have won six of their last seven EFL Cup home games (D1), with their last such defeat coming against Bolton in September 2007 (1-2).
  • Liverpool have won just two of their last 10 EFL Cup games played in London (D3 L5), beating Chelsea 2-0 in November 2011 and Arsenal 2-0 in January 2022.
  • Fulham have opened the scoring in all five of their EFL Cup games this season. Willian put them 1-0 ahead in the first leg against Liverpool – only two players have scored in both legs of a League Cup semi-final tie against the Reds, with John Robertson (Nottingham Forest, 1979-80) and Paul Merson (Middlesbrough, 1997-98) doing so.
  • Liverpool’s Darwin Núñez has been involved in five goals in six appearances in the EFL Cup (1 goal, 4 assists), averaging a goal or assist every 59 minutes. No player has more assists in the competition this season than the Uruguayan (3), including two as a sub in the first leg against Fulham.