Carabao Cup Round One
Leeds United 0
Middlesbrough 3 (Dijksteel 50’, Burgzorg 60’, Coburn 67’)
Leeds: Darlow (GK), Firpo (Bogle 63’), Ampadu (C), Rodon, Rothwell, Bamford, Piroe, Aaronson (Georginio 63’), Byram (Gruev 63’), Gelhardt (Gnonto 63’) Wober (Struijk 63’). Subs not used: Meslier (GK), James, Joseph, Crew.
Boro: Brynn (GK), Dijksteel, Howson (C) (Ayling 56’), Clarke, Engel (McCormick 70’), Barlaser, Morris, Jones (Hamilton 81’), Gilbert, Burgzorg (Azaz 70’), Coburn (Latte Lath 81’). Subs not used: Glover (GK), Hackney, Glover, Cartwright, Hunt.
Venue: Elland Road
Attendance: 35,150
Referee: Anthony Backhouse
Booked: Byram, Firpo (Leeds) Howson, Ayling (Boro)
Leeds United exited the Carabao Cup in round one, after defeat against Middlesbrough at Elland Road.
Coming into the game, both teams made a number of changes from their opening match of the Sky Bet Championship season, which came just a few days prior to this cup clash.
Chances came at both ends early on in the match, with each goalkeeper forced into make saves when called upon. The first opportunity went the way of the Whites. Some clever and one-touch build up play saw Brenden Aaronson create an opening on the left for Junior Firpo, but he couldn’t beat Sol Brynn in the Boro net.
Karl Darlow was the next to be called into action. Delano Burgzorg forced his way forward and into the area, drilling an effort at the near post, which the ‘keeper saved well.
In a game which both teams were looking to push forward in, there were further openings at each end. Sam Byram flicked a header just over the bar from Joe Rothwell’s free-kick, before Darlow saved once more, this time from a deflected Aidan Morris strike.
Boro had their best chance of the half with 10 minutes to go until the break. Josh Coburn collected a low ball into the box, turned well and struck left-footed, only to find the side netting.
Despite the best efforts of both teams, we went in goalless at the interval.
HALF TIME: Leeds United 0-0 Middlesbrough
There were no changes at the break, as both Farke and Michael Carrick sent their respective sides out from the dressing rooms.
Just fives minutes after the restart, Boro went into the lead. Anfernee Dijksteel picked the ball up out wide on the right, came inside and just kept on surging forward, before slotting home into the bottom corner with his left-foot.
The lead would have been doubled just two minutes later, if not for an excellent save from Darlow. Again Boro burst forward at pace, with the ball pulled back for Burgzorg, but the Leeds ‘keeper spread himself well to deny the powerful strike on his goal.
In the 61st minute, the lead was doubled, with another swift counter attack. Coburn played a low through ball between the Leeds defence, allowing Burgzorg to run through and finish low into the bottom corner.
Farke opted for five changes at once after going a second goal down. Jayden Bogle, Willy Gnonto, Georginio Rutter, Ilia Gruev and Pascal Struijk all entered the action, with just under 30 minutes of the cup tie remaining.
However, Boro kept up their pressure, and added a third. Isaiah Jones was the next to shoot, his effort was blocked by Ethan Ampadu, but the ball fell kindly for Coburn to turn home at close range.
Still looking to fight their way back into the game, Leeds came close, as Georginio curled an effort at goal which cannoned back off the inside of the post. The rebound fell quickly for Joel Piroe, who saw his header go just wide.
When the full time whistle sounded, it confirmed Middlesbrough’s route into the next round of the Carabao Cup, following their victory at Elland Road.
FULL TIME: Leeds United 0-3 Middlesbrough
