Middlesbrough defeated ScunthorpeUnited 3-0 as both sides clash.
Coach Garry Monk has been focusing on building a decent team that can challenge for games in the rigorous Championship since taking over. The fans got an evidence of work done so far as they cruised past the second round of the Carabao Cup.
Despite losing to Nottingham Forest over the weekend, the team shrugged off the defeat to play impressive football against United. Monk made nine changes to the side that lost against Forest but they played very well, especially Lewis Baker and Ashley Fletcher. Grant Leadbitter proved that the club would miss him if he eventually leaves the club.
Leadbitter, AdamaTraore and Fabio da Silva can feature in any Championship side. They showed this with their display as they started the game. Daniel Ayala also played since the Wolves opening day affair. Marcus Tavernier, Connor Roberts and substitute Lewis Wing also featured.
Middlesbrough bossed the game from the beginning. Their first real threat was in the 18th minute through Traore, who moved past Scunthorpe’sConorTownsend before sending a cross that Fabio headed in. It was the Brazilian left back’s first goal for the club. Soon after the former Manchester United defender made a defensive mistake but Josh Morris sent the ball over the crossbar.
After 30 minutes of play, Leadbitterand Baker combined to get another goal in. Leadbitterreleased a dead ball that the Stamford Bridge academy trained player latched onto before sending the ball to the back of the net.
After the break, Boro got their third of the game as Ayala stole the ball close to the halfway line and fed Fletcher. The striker combined with Tavernier to get the goal. Scunthorpe tried getting a consolation in the closing stages but Boro keeper DimiKonstantopoulos denied them.