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In mid-table in the Premier League and without European football, the domestic cups have taken on great importance for Chelsea and Pochettino as they bid to demonstrate tangible progress during a transitional season.

Inefficiency in front of goal contributed to their shock first-leg loss to Middleborough but Chelsea more than made up for that at Stamford Bridge as Boro’s wretched record in west London continued – they have now failed to win in 22 away games against the Blues, dating back to 1975.

• Chelsea made two changes, with Ben Chilwell coming in for Malo Gusto to make his start since September, while Mykhailo Mudryk replaced Conor Gallagher.
• Middlesbrough made four alterations, bringing in Rav van den Berg, Jonny Howson, Marcus Forss and Matt Crooks for Luke Ayling, Isaiah Jones, Sam Greenwood and Finn Azaz.

The first 10 minutes suggested Boro may be capable of ending that long winless run, with Chelsea’s young players looking nervous and Pochettino frequently berating Levi Colwill and Mykhailo Mudryk, in particular.

But after Ben Chilwell – making his first start since September due to injury – nodded narrowly wide, the captain set up Chelsea’s opening goal, threading a pass through to Raheem Sterling, with the unfortunate Howson then diverting his cutback into the net.

Rogers failed to make the most of Boro’s only first-half chance, shooting at Djordje Petrovic from a well-worked corner, before Fernandez swept home a loose ball after a clever Sterling backheel freed Disasi in the area.

Disasi was rampaging forward again minutes later, starting an attack by pouncing on Matt Clarke’s pass before bursting onto the end of Sterling’s low cross.

Boro were again caught out for Palmer’s first, with Daniel Barlaser losing possession on the edge of his own area.

Despite the three-goal aggregate lead, Pochettino showed his ruthless side at half-time, replacing the ineffective Mudryk, who earned an unnecessary booking and lost possession more times (eight) than he found a team-mate with a pass (seven).

Boro’s self-destructive streak continued in the second half, with losses of possession in dangerous areas punished by Palmer’s confident finish and Madueke’s deflected strike.

Rogers then scored Boro’s first goal at Stamford Bridge since Alen Boksic’s strike 23 years ago, bending into the far corner to show why Aston Villa are so keen to sign him this month and sending the visiting supporters back to Middlesbrough with something to cheer.

But the night belonged to Chelsea, who will eagerly await the victor of Wednesday’s semi-final between Fulham and Liverpool before bidding to win the Carabao Cup for the first time in nine years.