Cole Palmer is thrilled to be heading to Wembley with Chelsea after their poor start to the season.

The summer signing struck twice in a 6-1 rout of Middlesbrough to set up a showdown with Fulham or Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final on February 25.

And he was in a buoyant mood after bouncing back from a wasteful display in the first leg to sink the Championship outfit 6-2 on aggregate.

Palmer, 21, told Sky Sports: "After the first game, we knew it'd be difficult to get the win and go to Wembley.

"I missed three sitters in the first game so it was always in the back of my mind coming into this one. To score two and go through to Wembley, I'm happy.

"We've not had the best of starts, there is no hiding it, but to go to Wembley is a great opportunity to get a trophy and we're looking forward to it. It's going to be a good day."

A Jonny Howson own goal gave the Blues the lead at Stamford Bridge and they did not look back with Enzo Fernandez, Axel Disasi and Noni Madueke joining Palmer on the scoresheet.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino will have a shot at winning his first silverware in English football next month and he singled out Palmer for praise.

The ex-Tottenham boss, 51, said: "He is a player with an amazing talent. A player that understands the game.

"He has the quality and talent to see the situation and to read the game in another aspect.

"He can play from the right, striker or in behind the striker.

"We try to give him freedom because in this type of game he can find the best position to help the team.

"For me, [the best part] is when he presses and then the intuition to get the ball back. He is still young but he is doing fantastic for us."