Jorgen Strand Larsen delivered a double‑header that saw Crystal Palace secure a comfortable 3‑0 win over Middlesbrough, guaranteeing their progression to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup at Selhurst Park. The Norwegian forward found the back of the net once before the break and again after the interval, while substitute Daichi Kamada added a third goal with a composed lob over goalkeeper Sol Brynn.
Palace’s clinical edge proved decisive in a match that, despite Middlesbrough’s early dominance, ultimately highlighted the Premier League side’s tactical discipline and swift counter‑attacking play. From the opening whistle, the visitors from the Championship attempted to impose themselves. Their first foray came when midfielder Yeremy Pino hesitated on the ball, allowing Middlesbrough to launch an early attack.
Goalkeeper Walter Benítez, instead of clearing safely, attempted a risky pass to Ben Chilwell, which invited further pressure from the home side. Amario Cozier‑Duberry then forced a save from Benítez, keeping the ball in play and signalling that Boro were intent on testing Palace’s defence. The early exchanges were marked by a flurry of attempts from both ends. Middlesbrough’s David Strelec tried a turn and shot, while Callum Brittain produced a probing effort, yet the Palace keeper Brynn remained vigilant, denying several low‑driven attempts.
On the opposite flank, Cozier‑Duberry continued to menace the Palace right‑hand side, sending another effort wide of the post. Despite this sustained pressure, the home side’s defence held firm, buying time for their own attacking rhythm to develop. The breakthrough arrived in the 23rd minute when Palace executed a rapid, wide‑to‑wide move.
The ball was switched from the left wing to the right, where Oscar Mingueza delivered a precise cross into the box. Strand Larsen rose above his marker and headed the ball cleanly past Brynn, giving Palace a 1‑0 lead. The speed and accuracy of the combination caught Middlesbrough off‑guard, and the goal shifted the momentum in favour of the visitors. Middlesbrough responded by regaining possession and pressing high, attempting to force Palace back onto the defensive.
Their efforts produced a series of goal‑mouth scrambles, but the Premier League side’s clearance routines prevented any clear-cut chances. As the first half progressed, Palace continued to exploit the width of the pitch, swapping the ball from side to side and looking for openings in the Boro back line. The second goal materialised just after the interval.
A swift transition saw Chilwell loft a ball into the centre‑half area, where Strand Larsen again timed his run perfectly. He met the cross with a powerful header, doubling Palace’s advantage to 2‑0. The goal underscored the effectiveness of Palace’s counter‑attack strategy: absorb pressure, retain a compact shape, then launch a quick, incisive pass to catch the opposition out of position.
Middlesbrough, still eager to get back into the contest, created a few half‑chances. A low shot from Aidan Morris was denied by Benítez, and the Boro side continued to probe the Palace defence with occasional forays into the final third. However, the visitors’ defensive organisation, anchored by a disciplined back four, limited the quality of the chances on offer. The final nail in the coffin came in the 78th minute.
Substitute Daichi Kamada, who had entered the match to add fresh impetus, found himself in space on the left. Spotting Brynn slightly off his line, Kamada lifted a delicate chip over the keeper, sending the ball into the net and sealing a 3‑0 victory for Palace. The goal epitomised the tactical plan that had been evident throughout the game: a patient, defensive stance punctuated by swift, purposeful attacks. After the final whistle, Palace manager Pierre Sage reflected on the performance.
He admitted that the team had been sluggish at the start, but praised the collective effort once the first goal was scored. "We didn’t play well at the beginning of the game and we started to play when we scored the first goal. It was a good collective action.
We controlled the ball at this moment. At the end, we scored. It’s a good sign.
During the first half, I was not very happy with our way of defending. We struggled when they played between our lines, but we corrected this during half‑time.
It was better in the second half and we were able to score. We didn’t have possession, but they’re a good team.
I want to congratulate them, they played well," he said. Middlesbrough’s boss, Kim Hellberg, offered a measured assessment despite the heavy defeat. He highlighted the resilience his side displayed, especially away from home against a top‑flight opponent.
"It’s always tough when you lose a game 3‑0 when it’s about scoring goals. But if you look at the performance, that was quite an impressive 60 minutes away from home against a Premier League side. We got into a lot of good positions on the pitch, more than them, but their quality around those areas and what they did there was nice. There are very few teams that go to the Premier League sides and take control of the game, which I think we did," Hellberg commented.
Overall, the match served as a reminder of Palace’s ability to blend defensive solidity with swift counter‑attacking flair. Their three‑goal victory not only secured passage to the next round but also demonstrated the depth of their squad, with contributions from both starters and impact substitutes.
As the Carabao Cup progresses, Palace will look to build on this performance, while Middlesbrough can take heart from the moments they dictated play, using them as a foundation for future cup and league challenges.