Middlesbrough vs Everton match report: Gerard Deulofeu magic does the trick as Toffees march on in Capital One Cup
Middlesbrough 0 Everton 2: Spaniard scores marvellous opener as visitors book a place in the last four of a domestic competition for the first time in a decade
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Your support makes all the difference.It is seven years since Aitor Karanka first watched in wonder at the skills of Gerard Deulofeu. He told the then 14-year-old that he had everything to become a major force in the game.
The Middlesbrough manager was back watching here, with his hands tucked firmly into the trouser pockets of his suit. There were no smiles this time, but the sparkling football he predicted for the young Spaniard lit up the ground.
Karanka also managed Deulofeu for Spain in the European Under-17 Championship. You could do nothing but marvel at the speed of foot and speed of thought that carried Everton through to the semi-finals of the Capital One Cup here.
Deulofeu scored a marvellous first, 20 minutes into the game, when a raucous atmosphere suggested the Championship side had the fire to fight for a place in the last four of a domestic competition for the first time in a decade.
The goal was at such a level that it almost instantly deflated Middlesbrough’s belief. Before the half-hour mark the same player had struck again, as creator.
There never looked like being an avenue back into the game then for the home side, who, in chasing promotion, made six changes to the team who had won at Huddersfield on Saturday.
Instead, Everton manager Roberto Martinez, without the constraints of the Europa League which slowed them down last season, readied himself for a domestic semi-final. There is real belief that he can be the club’s first manager to win a trophy since 1995, when Joe Royle’s side won the FA Cup.
The Spaniard would also become the first to lift the League Cup for the blue half of Merseyside, who have been beaten finalists twice.
To get to the last four, he owed much to his 21-year-old winger and fellow Spaniard. They were two moments of glorious quality from Deulofeu. There did not appear a huge amount of danger when, after 20 minutes, he took a pass from Ramiro Funes Mori.
He was still in the Middlesbrough side of the centre circle, but in that moment, when he was afforded space, came the chance to run at the home defenders, inducing panic. First he teased Ben Gibson to the point where the central defender lost his footing.
He beat Adam Clayton next and in the blink of an eye, from 20 yards, whipped a right-footed shot into the bottom corner of Tomas Mejias’ goal. The Boro goalkeeper never looked like saving it – and it changed the entire momentum of the tie.
Deulofeu, whose season sparked into life in this competition, at Barnsley, when he played his part in four of Everton’s five goals, went back to that role eight minutes later.
It was not just the Spaniard who took the glory this time. In total there were 26 passes between Everton’s players before the ball arrived at Ross Barkley’s feet. His 40-yard crossfield ball was impressive enough, finding Deulofeu out wide to his right.
It was Deulofeu’s moment from then, dancing his feet through six step-overs as he toyed with Fernando Amorebieta before flicking a cross into the Middlesbrough penalty area.
It still needed a smart, glancing header from Romelu Lukaku to carry into the corner of Mejias’ goal, and the bustling centre-forward had the subtlety to do it.
In celebration, Everton fans continually remind of their desire for a repeat of the cup glory of 20 years ago, and there was genuine delight from their travelling support for both goals. They were vociferous and as early as the half-hour mark they had an eye on another semi-final.
Middlesbrough’s best option always looked to be in Stewart Downing. The former England international had gone close in the 17th minute with a 30-yard free-kick that the impressive Joel Robles saved to his left at full stretch.
On the hour mark he struck a vicious, rising shot that Robles tipped over the Everton crossbar. They were rare moments. It was a chastening reminder of the quality that lies in the Premier League, Middlesbrough’s main target for the season, despite the brief glory of a cup run that included a memorable night at Old Trafford.
With 10 minutes remaining, Deulofeu produced another sublime piece of skill to put the ball through the legs of Daniel Ayala on the touchline – and was rewarded with a cynical forearm smash into the face from the defender. Soon after he was substituted.
It was a disappointing finish to an evening in which he shone.
Man of the match Deulofeu.
Match rating 6/10.
Referee R East (Wiltshire).
Attendance 31,628.
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