Doncaster Rovers Shock Middlesbrough with Stunning 4-0 Carabao Cup Victory
Hey, have you heard about the massive upset in the Carabao Cup? Doncaster Rovers absolutely stunned Middlesbrough with a commanding 4-0 win at the Riverside Stadium, knocking the Championship side out of the competition in the first round. It was a performance that no one really expected, especially given the status difference between the two teams.
So here’s what went down. Middlesbrough, who play in the Championship, were actually the favorites going into this match. Their manager Rob Edwards kept faith in a lot of the players who had started well in the league recently, hoping to keep that momentum going. But despite all that, Doncaster, who are from League One and were last season’s League Two champions, showed up with complete confidence and energy.
Doncaster didn’t waste any time either — just 11 minutes into the game, veteran striker Billy Sharp set up Ben Close for a goal, with a little help from a deflection. That early strike really gave the visitors a boost and seemed to put Middlesbrough on the back foot. Middlesbrough tried to fight back, and they even hit the post through Delano Burgzorg, but Doncaster’s defense held strong.
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Then, before halftime, Doncaster doubled their lead. Jordan Gibson whipped in a perfect cross that found Tottenham loanee Damola Ajayi. The ball took a slight deflection off a Middlesbrough defender, Alfie Jones, but the goal was credited to Ajayi — a special moment for the 19-year-old, who scored his first senior goal. That 2-0 lead at half-time was a big shock for the home fans.
In the second half, Middlesbrough tried to mount a comeback, but their efforts were largely kept at bay by Doncaster’s goalkeeper Ian Lawlor, who made several important saves. The hosts looked frustrated, and things only got worse late on. Robbie Gotts, who joined from Barrow over the summer, scored to make it 3-0 with just minutes to go. Then, deep into injury time, Tom Nixon sealed the win with a fourth goal for Doncaster, rubbing salt in Middlesbrough’s wounds.
Statistically, Middlesbrough had more possession and more shots overall — they controlled about 63% of the ball and took 18 shots just like Doncaster — but the Rovers were clinical when it mattered. Their defense cleared 36 times compared to Middlesbrough’s 18, and Doncaster’s goalkeeper was far busier with five saves, showing how well they absorbed pressure.
This defeat marked the first loss for Middlesbrough’s manager Rob Edwards since taking charge, and it was a harsh lesson in how quickly things can go wrong in cup football. Meanwhile, Doncaster’s manager Grant McCann will be celebrating a brilliant team effort and a statement victory that keeps their good form going in League One and now sends them through to the next round of the Carabao Cup.
So yeah, it was a stunning night for Doncaster Rovers, who showed that underdogs can still cause serious damage when they play with belief and determination. Middlesbrough fans will be hoping for a quick bounce back after that tough night at home.
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