‘Preston North Ended!’ Chelsea FanCast #1097

Stamford Chidge & Jonathan Kydd are joined by Dean Mears to look back at Chelsea's 4-0 win in the FA Cup against Preston North End and ahead to Tuesday's Carabao Cup semi-final against Middlesbrough.

In part one we discuss Chelsea's poor first half against Preston North End. Were Chelsea complacent, taking Preston lightly? Preston did a good job with 3 at the back and 5 out of possession and kept Chelsea going side to side and at arm’s length. And why do players such as Moises, Sterling and Enzo not impose themselves on the game or take it by the scruff of the neck?

In part two Poch gave a much needed and effective half-time hairdryer to the players. As a consequence, Chelsea pushed Preston back, Palmer played higher up the pitch and they were more aggressive with more intent. Broja scored a proper strikers goal and his confidence appeared to come back, as did Chelsea's while Preston's dissipated. Goals from Silva, Sterling and Emzo put the game to bed.

All in all it was a poor first half and an excellent second. Chelsea dispatched a determined championship side without too much fuss; kept the winning streak going; gave minutes to Gilchrist, Washington and Golding and are into the next round. Job done.

In part three we preview the Carabao Cup semi-final on Tuesday away to Middlesbrough for the first leg. We start with JK's summary of Poch's presser and Chidge reveals his team selection.

Boro look like similar opposition to Preston and have had an easy ride to the semi final and have poor recent form, but there is history in this fixture and they will be bang up for it. We recall the play off matches from 1988, the FA and League Cup victories of 1997 and 1998, Rafa Benitez meltdown after the 2013 FA Cup win and Bruce Buck's comments winding up Boro before the cup match of 2022.

We discuss that it would be nice to hump Boro and make the second leg a formality but…suspect it might be tighter than it should be. Also the opportunity for Poch to get the ‘not won a trophy in England’ off his back woould be great for him and the team's development.

We wrap up with our predictions and 'They Played For Both'.    

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