Muzzy returns in Boro’s U21 defeat to Chelsea

Muzzy Carayol

Gambian winger Mustapha Carayol made his long awaited return from injury playing nearly an hour in Middlesbrough U21s’ narrow 3-2 defeat away to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

The home side were stunned on 34 minutes when Boro took the lead. Carayol received the ball just inside the Chelsea half and drove down the left hand channel. He got to the goal line and his delivery across the area was knocked into the net by Ryan Brobbel.

It could easily have been 2-0 a minute later but Carayol saw his shot blocked on the line. Chelsea then broke quickly and Baker played in Feruz, who finished to square things up.

After the break Lewis Baker put the home side ahead from the penalty spot, but Middlesbrough would not back down and equalised within five minutes. Feruz’s long-range shot restored Chelsea’s lead, which they hung on to thanks to a Jamal Blackman save in injury-time.

The Gambian is now in contention for a place in Boro’s trip to Portman Road where they face Ipswich Town on Saturday.