GERARD DEULOFEU STOLE the show as Everton cruised into the League Cup semi-finals courtesy of a 2-0 win over Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium.
The Spaniard netted a delightful opener before assisting Romelu Lukaku’s header on Tuesday as Roberto Martinez’s men booked their spot in the last four.
Martinez showed his respect for a team sitting second in the Championship by making just three changes to the XI that drew 3-3 at AFC Bournemouth on Saturday.
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His decision paid dividends during the early stages, with stunning goals from Deulofeu and Lukaku putting the visitors 2-0 ahead inside 28 minutes.
Middlesbrough pressed forward menacingly in the second period as Stewart Downing and Cristhian Stuani spurned good opportunities, but Everton were able to keep their opponents at bay and progress with a minimum of fuss.
And the Premier League side’s perfect night was capped by Leighton Baines coming off the bench for his first appearance of the campaign following an ankle injury.
21-year-old Deulofeu popped up on the edge of the area after twenty minutes, jinked past a couple of challenges and expertly drilled a right-footed shot to the bottom corner to give Everton the lead.
But his assist for Lukaku’s goal was a thing of beauty and reminiscent of a certain Cristiano Ronaldo.
There was a litany of step-overs as he made space for the cross. When it came, it was inch-perfect and the Belgian attacker gleefully glanced it to the far corner.
Gerard Deulofeu's magic sends Everton through to League Cup semi-finals
Updated at 22.00pm
GERARD DEULOFEU STOLE the show as Everton cruised into the League Cup semi-finals courtesy of a 2-0 win over Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium.
The Spaniard netted a delightful opener before assisting Romelu Lukaku’s header on Tuesday as Roberto Martinez’s men booked their spot in the last four.
Martinez showed his respect for a team sitting second in the Championship by making just three changes to the XI that drew 3-3 at AFC Bournemouth on Saturday.
His decision paid dividends during the early stages, with stunning goals from Deulofeu and Lukaku putting the visitors 2-0 ahead inside 28 minutes.
Middlesbrough pressed forward menacingly in the second period as Stewart Downing and Cristhian Stuani spurned good opportunities, but Everton were able to keep their opponents at bay and progress with a minimum of fuss.
And the Premier League side’s perfect night was capped by Leighton Baines coming off the bench for his first appearance of the campaign following an ankle injury.
21-year-old Deulofeu popped up on the edge of the area after twenty minutes, jinked past a couple of challenges and expertly drilled a right-footed shot to the bottom corner to give Everton the lead.
But his assist for Lukaku’s goal was a thing of beauty and reminiscent of a certain Cristiano Ronaldo.
There was a litany of step-overs as he made space for the cross. When it came, it was inch-perfect and the Belgian attacker gleefully glanced it to the far corner.
Magnificent.
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Capital One Cup dazzling Gerard Deulofeu Romelu Lukaku Everton Middlesbrough