Jorgen Strand Larsen delivered a double strike that sent Crystal Palace through to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, securing a 3-0 triumph over Middlesbrough at Selhurst Park. The Norwegian forward found the net in both halves, first heading in a cross before the interval and then again in the second period, while substitute Daichi Kamada capped the victory with a composed lob over goalkeeper Sol Brynn.
Palace’s clinical finishing contrasted with a game that, for much of the time, was dominated by the visitors. Middlesbrough, who entered the match with the Championship's top scorer Will Lankshear on the bench, made eight changes but struggled to convert their early pressure into clear‑cut chances. Their lack of firepower in the final third meant they could not fully exploit the periods when they pressed high and forced Palace onto the back foot. In contrast, the Eagles adopted a patient, counter‑attacking approach, sitting deep to absorb the Boro onslaught before springing forward at the right moment – a tactical pattern that underpinned all three of their goals.
Defensively, Palace were not flawless in the opening stages. A moment of indecision from midfielder Yeremy Pino resulted in a turnover that allowed Middlesbrough to launch an early attack.
Goalkeeper Walter Benitez then attempted a risky pass to left‑back Ben Chilwell, which invited further pressure from the home side. Amario Cozier‑Duberry, the energetic Middlesbrough winger, tested Palace keeper Benitez with a shot that was comfortably saved. After weathering this sustained pressure, Palace began to find rhythm, executing a swift interchange that saw Pino’s effort blocked, but signalled that the visitors were beginning to settle into the game.
Midway through the first half, David Strelec attempted a turn and shot, while Callum Brittain also tried to breach the Palace defense, yet Sol Brynn produced a sharp save to keep the score level. The Boro continued to dominate possession, with Cozier‑Duberry repeatedly threatening down the right flank, his crosses frequently finding the edge of the box but never quite connecting. Despite this dominance, Palace’s defensive shape held firm, and the breakthrough finally came from a rapid transition. The opening goal unfolded from a fluid move that saw the ball travel from left to right across the pitch.
Oscar Mingueza, operating from the right side, delivered a precise cross into the box. Strand Larsen, timing his run perfectly, rose above the defense and headed the ball into the net, giving Palace a 1-0 lead. The speed and accuracy of the move caught Middlesbrough off guard, and the visitors responded by re‑asserting their presence in the Palace half, a trend that persisted into the second half.
Early in the second period, a chaotic scramble in front of goal resulted in Palace clearing the danger, only for Middlesbrough to be undone once more by a swift switch of play. This time, Ben Chilwell lofted a cross from the left, and Strand Larsen met it with a powerful header, doubling Palace’s advantage to 2-0.
The goal underscored the effectiveness of Palace’s counter‑attacking blueprint: quick ball circulation, exploiting space on the flanks, and delivering high-quality service into the box. Middlesbrough continued to pose a threat, with Aidan Morris finding a low‑driven effort that Benitez managed to tip away. The home side’s defense remained under pressure, but the visitors were unable to convert their chances into goals. The final blow came when substitute Daichi Kamada, spotting a gap in the Boro back line, lifted a delicate chip over Brynn, sealing a 3-0 victory for Palace.
After the match, Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage reflected on his team’s performance: "We didn’t start well, but once we scored the first goal everything clicked. It was a collective effort. We controlled the ball at that moment and finished strongly.
I wasn’t happy with our defensive shape in the first half – they played between our lines – but we adjusted at halftime. The second half was better; we scored, even without dominating possession.
They are a good side, and I congratulate them for a solid display." Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg offered a balanced view of the defeat: "Losing 3-0 is always tough, especially when you’re missing goals. However, if you look at the performance, we gave a respectable 60 minutes away from home against a Premier League side.
We created more good positions than they did, but their quality in those moments was decisive. Few Championship teams can control a Premier League side the way we did, and I think we achieved that." Overall, the match highlighted Palace’s ability to absorb pressure and strike decisively on the counter, while Middlesbrough demonstrated resilience and moments of promise despite the scoreline. The win propels Crystal Palace into the next round of the Carabao Cup, where they will look to build on this tactical discipline and clinical finishing.