Premier League side Everton have knocked Sky Bet Championship side Middlesbrough out of the Capital One Cup in the Quarter Final stage at the Riverside this evening, winning 2-0.
Goals from Gerard Deulofeu and Romelu Lukaku booked Everton's place in the semi-finals of this years competition.
Everton strike early on
After a fairly even start to the game Fernando Amorebieta misced his clearence early on and Deulofeu played in Seamus Coleman to try find Ross Barkley who's scuffed shot resulted in a corner. Barkley took the corner and Lukaku failed to find the target with a header.
It were the visitors who struck first as Deulofeu who beats two Boro defenders and fired into the bottom corner to give Everton the lead.
While the visitors were on top the added a second goal as Deulofeu turned provider this time as his cross was met beautifully by Lukaku and he headed past Tomas Mejias in the Boro goal to give the Premier League side a two goal lead with less than half an hour played.
Just before half-time Boro won a free-kick and Stewart Downing struck the set-piece from 35-yards wide just before the break.
The second half started off and Kike got in behind and his effort was deflected behind for a corner while Gareth Barry did well to clear under pressure from Daniel Ayala.
Adam Clayton was urged to shoot from range but he dragged his effort wide of the post as Boro looked for away into the game.
Boro appeal for a penalty
Boro fans and players appealed for a penalty as the ball hit Funes Mori on the arm as Nsue chipped the ball into the box, meanwhile at the other end Lukaku slipped as he looked to get free in the box.
Everton got let off the hook as Stuani was unmarked and headed over from seven yards out with Stones caught under the ball and the Boro striker had noone around him.
Mejias made a brilliant save to keep out Kevin Mirallas as he got on the end of a cross from Coleman.
Everton were beginning to see out time but Middlesbrough never really rallied in the second half. Stones fouled Downing and was booked as he blocked the chane for Boro to take it quickly.
When then set-piece was taken Leadbitter struck it well but Joel got down well and got his body behind the ball with ease in what proved to be one of the last events of the tie.
Everton will now face either Stoke City, Manchester City, Liverpool or Southampton in the next round, whilst the Championship side will get back to their battle for promotion.