The first half was competitive, with the Blues creating promising moments and applying pressure on the Middlesbrough back line, but without the decisive touch in the final third.

However, on the stroke of half-time, Chelsea were dealt a setback as Ryan Kavuma-McQueen received a second yellow card, reducing the hosts to 10 men for the remainder of the contest.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, we showed real determination after the restart and continued to push forward in search of the breakthrough. That pressure eventually paid off, as substitute Mathis Eboue produced a composed finish into the bottom corner.

We continued to play on the front foot and looked to extend our lead, with Eboue going close to adding a second and Shumaira Mheuka being denied by a good save from the goalkeeper. Another goal to give us a safety margin didn't arrive, but our lead never looked in real threat, even as Middlesbrough tried to push during nine minutes of added time, meaning it is the Blues who progress to the last eight teams in the Premier League 2 play-offs.

Early pressure

Chelsea began the contest with real intensity, immediately pushing for an early breakthrough. Mheuka was at the heart of the action, carving out a series of chances inside the opening five minutes. The striker first drove forward and unleashed a powerful strike from just inside the area that flashed wide, before seeing a floated effort drift off target soon after, handing Middlesbrough an early reprieve.

The Blues quickly settled into a strong rhythm, dominating possession and probing for a way through a well-organised defensive line. Patience and sustained pressure defined our play as we searched for the opening goal.

The visitors began to grow into the game just past the 20-minute mark. Harley Hunt found space inside the box and struck a right-footed effort from close range, but Max Merrick reacted superbly to produce a brilliant save and deny the opener.

At the other end, Kavuma-McQueen threatened. The winger saw a powerful effort from inside the area rise over the crossbar before going close again moments later. After a short corner routine, he collected the ball on the edge of the box, shifted his feet and unleashed a fierce strike that narrowly cleared the bar as the first half entered its closing stages.

One man down

Chelsea were dealt a significant setback before the break, as a second yellow card for Kavuma-McQueen reduced us to 10 men for the remainder of the fixture, following an earlier foul and subsequent dissent.

Despite the disadvantage, the Blues continued to compete and almost found a breakthrough before the interval. Levi Colwill, continuing his return to full fitness, rose highest to meet a Leo Cardoso corner and powered a header goalwards, but his effort was cleared off the line.

It proved to be an eventful first half, with both sides creating chances but unable to find the net, as the game remained goalless at the interval.

Search continues

We began the second period brightly once again. Colwill played a superb through ball upfield to Eboue, who then threaded a precise pass into Landon Emenalo. The defender struck from close range, but Owen Foster reacted sharply to make the save.

Eboue remained a lively presence after the break. A quick attacking move saw Mheuka pick up the ball in a promising position before squaring it for the onrushing winger, whose powerful effort drifted just wide of the far post - it looked destined to be the opener in this knockout clash.

The pressure continued to build. Colwill forced Foster into action again with a powerful header that the keeper did well to tip away. Harrison McMahon was quickest to react to the rebound, but a Middlesbrough defender produced a crucial block to deny us the breakthrough.

Breaking the deadlock

However, the pressure continued to build, and it felt only a matter of time before the Blues found the breakthrough - which arrived in emphatic fashion.

Since coming on, Eboue had been a constant threat, causing real problems across the pitch. The goal came after sustained pressure and a swift counter-attack, with Harrison Murray-Campbell delivering a superb cross into the area. Perfectly positioned, Eboue powered his finish into the bottom corner to put the hosts ahead.

We almost doubled our lead soon after, with momentum firmly on our side. Right-back Genesis Antwi made an excellent run, weaving into the penalty area and skipping past his marker before picking out Eboue. The winger struck goalwards in search of his second, but the goalkeeper reacted well to make the save.

Seeing the victory out

After the goal, Chelsea continued to press in search of a second to put the game beyond doubt. Under-18s striker Chizaram Ezenwata was introduced for Mheuka to add fresh energy to the attack as we pushed forward in the closing stages.

With nine minutes added, the Blues remained in control, managing possession intelligently while looking to extend our advantage. As the final whistle approached, celebrations erupted as Chelsea secured a deserved victory to book their place in the next round of the play-offs, keeping hopes of silverware on both fronts firmly alive.

What's next

Chelsea Under-21s have secured our place in the quarter-finals of the Premier League 2 play-offs and will host Tottenham Hotspur at Kingsmeadow. The fixture date and ticket details will be confirmed in due course.

The teams

Chelsea (4-3-3): Max Merrick; Genesis Antwi, Harrison Murray-Campbell, Levi Colwill (c), Landon Emenalo; Harrison McMahon, Ollie Harrison, Reggie Walsh (Kiano Dyer 68); Leo Cardoso (Mathis Eboue h-t), Shumaira Mheuka (Chizaram Ezenwata 84), Ryan Kavuma-McQueen
Unused subs: Hudson Sands, Kaiden Wilson
Scorer: Eboue 62
Booked: Kavuma-McQueen 21, 45 Eboue 75, McMahon 90+8
Sent off: Kavuma-McQueen 45

Middlesbrough (4-2-3-1): Owen Foster, Josh Dede, Jack Daley, Harley Hunt, Oliver Samuels, Listowell Hinneh, Frankie Coulson (Eric Hamelberg 84), Law McCabe, Cruz Ibeh, Finlay Cartwright (Layton Campbell 68), George McCormick (c)
Unused subs: Nathan Fisher, Daniel James, Prince Acheampong
Booked: Dede 90+7