NOT for the first time in recent memory at Stamford Bridge, Middlesbrough's supporters put the result to one side in a "special" show of togetherness and appreciation.

Back in 2017, after watching his side beat and relegate Boro, then-Chelsea boss Antonio Conte headed for the away end at full-time to show his recognition for the support, such was his amazement at the backing from the Teessiders.

It didn't go to plan on the pitch for Boro that night and that was also the case on Tuesday as Michael Carrick's side saw their Carabao Cup journey come crashing to a painful end against Mauricio Pochettino's side.

But the heavy loss didn't silence the Boro fans, with 4,500 packing out the Shed End. It was the away supporters who could be heard singing at full-time and in what Carrick described as a "special moment", the players and the head coach stood together in front of the away end last night and were applauded in recognition of the efforts in reaching the last four of the competition.

Boro's squad and boss returned the thanks.

“It’s mixed feelings in many ways because we felt their support so much, especially at the end," said Carrick.

"Because of the scoreline, you almost feel like we don’t deserve it. But I do think the boys do deserve it, for the effort and also the run to get here. We came here with huge optimism because of the first leg, so that in itself was probably part of that connection you see there at the end with the fans.

"They know and they came and understood what the boys have given and that it wasn’t just about tonight. It was quite a special moment at the end and that shows the connection we’ve got."

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Boro headed for Stamford Bridge with a slender advantage after their first leg win but that was quickly wiped out as Chelsea took charge in the first half. A Jonny Howson own-goal levelled the tie before Enzo Fernandez, Axel Disasi and Cole Palmer got on the scoresheet before the break. Palmer scored a second and Noni Makdueke added a sixth for Chelsea before Morgan Rogers' late consolation.

Carrick, who took responsibility for the first half mistakes and praised Boro's players for the way they stuck at it after the break despite the scoreline, said: “I think tonight was more about the experience of coping with a big game. Coming in with hopes against a really top team, what that feels like, how you prepare for it mentally, what the game feels like when you’re in it, the speed and intensity.

"Do you still want the ball when you’ve lost it once or twice? You learn a lot about yourself. It’s not so much the tactical side, for our lads, because it was a new experience, they’ll take a lot more from that.”

Carrick also explained the decision to withdraw Marcus Forss at half-time wasn't because of an injury. It was Forss' first start since a long lay-off so Carrick was reluctant to push the forward too far, with the tie effectively over by the interval.

“Marcus has been out for 12 weeks or so and he played a lot more on Saturday than we wanted him to really," said Carrick.

"It was purely that. We wanted to avoid the risk of playing him any longer, it just wasn’t worth it."