Michael Carrick hails much-changed Middlesbrough’s display in cup win at Leeds

Posted Thursday, August 15, 2024 by PA

Michael Carrick backed his Middlesbrough squad for success after they raced into the second round of the Carabao Cup with a 3-0 win over Leeds at Elland Road.

The Boro boss made seven changes from the weekend win over Swansea and watched as second-half goals from Anfernee Dijksteel, Delano Burgzorg and Josh Coburn earned them a meeting with Stoke in the next round.

Carrick, whose side reached the semi-finals of the competition last season, said: “Everyone will play a part. I fully believe in the boys. We believe in the squad. We believe in the players we’ve got.

“I don’t know where to start, there were so many positives. To keep a clean sheet as well made it special.

“It was just one of those nights for us. The boys have done really well. I’m really happy with how the boys played.”

Georginio Rutter’s shot hit a post late on as Daniel Farke’s side put in a below-par performance which saw them booed off at the end.

Farke, who made eight changes from the draw with Portsmouth, said: “We have an early kick off on Saturday at West Brom and I took a risk tonight and made eight or nine rotations.

“We have to say congratulations to Middlesbrough who deserved to win.

“We had a really poor 20 minutes at the start of the second half and they scored three goals.

“We tried to change things with five substitutions, but they scored a third goal.

“Once you are 3-0 down against a really good side it is difficult.”