HAVING watched his side struggle to cope with the demands of lengthy runs in both the Capital One Cup and FA Cup last season, Aitor Karanka insists Middlesbrough are better placed to juggle multiple competitions this term.

The way things are going, he had better be right.

Boro cruised into the fourth round of the League Cup with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Championship rivals Wolves on Tuesday night, and while there are some big names left in the competition, no one will be relishing a trip to the Riverside when the draw takes place later on Wednesday evening.

Albert Adomah’s double continued his successful rehabilitation back into the first-team fold, and sandwiched a neat finish from Diego Fabbrini, who also hit the woodwork in the closing stages.

Both players performed neatly in their midfield positions, but perhaps the most impressive aspect of last night’s win was the effortless manner in which it was recorded. Boro did not have to get out of first gear to beat opponents from the same league, and their superiority was such that goalkeeper Tomas Mejias was not even tested before the game was well and truly put to bed.

The Northern Echo:

Adomah points to the heavens after netting again 

The quality of the night’s display also provided further evidence of the strength of Boro’s squad.

Karanka made seven changes to the team that started at Nottingham Forest three days earlier, yet his side were still able to dominate from first minute to last.

The presence of the likes of Fabbrini, Adam Forshaw and Kike hardly represented a serious weakening of the starting line-up, and Karanka was able to give the likes of Stewart Downing and David Nugent a welcome rest.

Boro were defensively resolute throughout with Forshaw successfully stepping up to partner Leadbitter at the base of midfield, Fabbrini dictating things from the ‘number ten’ role after a relatively slow start, and Carlos de Pena enjoying a pleasing introduction to English football.

Signed after a deadline-day dash from South America, de Pena lined up on the left-hand side as he made his debut, and initial signs suggest he is more of an industrious midfielder than an out-and-out winger.

There were plenty of neat balls infield, and while he was reluctant to be too adventurous against his opposing full-back, the Uruguayan ended the night having had a hand in both of Boro’s opening two goals.

The first came shortly before the interval, and provided a rare highlight in an otherwise uneventful opening period. Saturday’s game at Nottingham Forest began at a breakneck pace, but it was 26 minutes into the match before there was anything that even remotely resembled an opportunity.

Even then, it could hardly be described as a chance, as Wolves full-back Matt Doherty came within inches of hooking the ball into his own net as he attempted to deal with Grant Leadbitter’s corner.

That the incident represented a rare flurry of activity in the opening half-an-hour said much about the raggedness of both sides’ play, but when Adomah was presented with a golden opportunity eight minutes before the interval, he was not found wanting.

De Pena floated a ball into the area, but Wolves centre-half Ethan Ebanks-Landell appeared to be perfectly placed to deal with the danger. He somehow contrived to get the ball stuck between his feet though, and when it squirmed free, Adomah swooped to sweep home from 12 yards.

It was the 27-year-old’s second goal since returning to the fold – a third was to follow midway through the second half - and Karanka deserves credit for the mature manner in which he has handled the player’s rehabilitation.

Ebanks-Landell partially redeemed his error when he blocked Kike’s shot from the edge of the area six minutes after the break, but Boro were a much more potent attacking force in the second half and it did not take long for their superiority to tell again.

Some excellent link-up play between Emilio Nsue and Adomah ended with the latter crossing from the right-hand side, and after de Pena intelligently stepped over the ball in the area, Fabbrini delivered a clinical finish from 12 yards.

The Italian, who is on a season-long loan from Watford, has proved an adept acquisition, and if Karanka spends the rest of the campaign chopping and changing him with Stewart Downing in the central attacking-midfield role, he should be able to guarantee plenty of vision and creativity.

Karanka is spoiled for choice in terms of positive-minded midfielders, although having reclaimed his place following his first-team exile, Adomah is clearly in no mind to relinquish his starting spot once again.

He claimed his second goal of the evening in the 72nd minute, and again his composure in the penalty area caught the eye. George Friend’s left-wing cross found him in space at the back post, but there was still plenty to admire in the clinical manner in which he dispatched a low finish into the bottom left-hand corner.

Kike almost added a fourth goal shortly after, but while he latched on to Adomah’s through ball to chip beyond the onrushing Carl Ikeme, the ball drifted narrowly wide of the right-hand post.

Mejias made two decent late saves to deny substitutes Benik Afobe and Adam Le Fondre, but the final word almost went to Fabbrini when he turned adroitly in the area, only to see his left-footed effort cannon to safety off the underside of the crossbar.

HOW FANS REACTED TO TONIGHT'S RESULT ON TWITTER:

Lewis Norman ‏@Lewis_Boro_Fan  

"Great performance and result tonight. Adomah excellent, Forshaw even better Onto Leeds #UTB"

Craig ‏@Craggsy  

"Great game @carlosdepena 3 assists not bad for a first game in England #UTB"

Anderson ‏@andosini  

"Well done @Boro 6 wins on the bounce lets smash Leeds at home on Sunday - we never get a good result at home - lets make this change! #UTB"

Neil Grainger ‏@GraingerNeil  

"Fantastic result. We sure are the real deal this season. Roll on the next round, but most importantly, BRING ON LEEDS!! #utb #borolive"

For The Love Of Boro ‏@4TheLoveOfBoro

"Top finishing from Adomah tonight, great crossing from De Pena and good displays from Fabbrini, Forshaw and Kalas too. #UTB #borolive"