Several Middlesbrough players impressed during their 3-0 win over Leeds United in the League Cup.
Boro ended a six-year winless run against Leeds United on Wednesday evening, booking their place in the second round of the competition against Stoke City.
Michael Carrick made seven changes to the eleven that Middlesbrough beat Swansea 1-0 with this past weekend.
Aidan Morris, Lukas Engel, Isaiah Jones, and Matt Clarke were the only survivors from the game.
However, it was a fringe star who gave Boro the lead after 49 minutes. Anfernee Dijksteel burst forward from right-back to calmly pass the ball into the Leeds net after coming under little pressure from their backline.
Dijksteel continued to threaten with his runs from deep and nearly set Delano Burgzorg up for his first Middlesbrough goal but the Dutchman saw his effort blocked.
The former Huddersfield Town star eventually got his goal in the 60th minute after being slipped in by Josh Coburn.
The striker then scored a goal himself, seeing Middlesbrough beat Leeds 3-0 at Elland Road.
Michael Carrick labeled Middlesbrough duo ‘really dangerous’ after Leeds
Very few Middlesbrough fans likely expected Middlesbrough to play so well against Daniel Farke’s side.
It was a second-string eleven and the North East outfit do not have a great record against Leeds.
However, a couple of Boro players really took the game to the Yorkshire outfit on Wednesday evening.
Isaiah Jones impressed against Swansea and was once again excellent in midweek.
Dijksteel was the best Middlesbrough player against Leeds as well, and probably should have come away with more than just one goal.
Speaking to the club’s media post-match, Carrick praised the aforementioned duo, labelling their connection dow the right-hand side as ‘really dangerous’.
He said: “I thought Anth was terrific. Him and Izzy down the right-hand side were really dynamic and looked really dangerous.
“It’s a hell of a goal and I’m really pleased for him because you know he’s been in and out of the team and he probably hasn’t played as much as we would have liked too.
“But I thought he was terrific tonight, he deserves that one.”
Michael Carrick must fix Middlesbrough issue
The right-hand side of the Teessiders’ squad is looking very strong for the 2024/25 season.
Jones has excelled in the opening two games on the wing and is now facing competition from rising star, Micah Hamilton.
Further back, Luke Ayling remains a top talent and he too will now be under pressure to keep his place after Dijksteel’s performance against Leeds.
However, things are not looking too positive on the other side of Middlesbrough’s squad.
Riley McGree was average against Swansea and will need to step up if he is to play regularly this term.
Behind the Australian, it is clear Middlesbrough need to sign a left-back before deadline day on August 30th.
Lukas Engel is the only senior option in that position right now with Alex Bangura sidelined again, and he cannot play a full 46-game campaign plus cup matches by himself.
George McCormick finished the tie at Elland Road in place of Engel but his lack of experience means he is still probably not ready for regular football at Championship level.