Middlesbrough 3-0 Wolves: Albert Adomah scores twice for the hosts in comfortable Capital One Cup victory at the Riverside

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Albert Adomah starred for Middlesbrough as they eased past Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday night
Adomah scored twice, opening the scoring in the 37th minute, before grabbing his second with 64 minutes gone
Italian attacker Diego Fabbrini scored in between Adomah's brace as Middlesbrough made short work of the tie

Published: 15:51 EST, 22 September 2015 | Updated: 16:31 EST, 22 September 2015

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At least one club in the North East is providing value for money.

Middlesbrough secured their sixth consecutive win by casting aside Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Newcastle United and Sunderland could do worse than ask their neighbours for advice if they are to avoid Barclays Premier League relegation this season.

The Capital One Cup fourth round awaits Aitor Karanka’s Middlesbrough after demonstrating why they are a different animal to that which suffered heartache in the Championship play-off final against Norwich City last season.

Middlesbrough forward Albert Adomah watches on as he looks to beat Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Carl Ikeme on Tuesday

Ikeme has no chance in stopping Adomah's effort as he prepares to wheel away in celebration following his opener at the Riverside

Adomah celebrates his goal with the crowd at the Riverside as he puts Middlesbrough a goal up in their Capital One Cup clash

They persisted against Kenny Jackett’s Wolves in a win that came on the same night Sunderland were humiliated by Manchester City down the road. When announced, the scoreline from the Stadium of Light was met with as much joy as Albert Adomah and Diego Fabbrini’s goals.

Promotion to the land of untold riches remains the priority but, as far as side stories go, adding to their winning streak with this Capital One Cup triumph hardly hurt.

Ahead of facing Leeds in the Championship on Sunday, Karanka said: ‘We have to keep going. We’ve done nothing. We are in a good position but in this league if you lose one point, two points or three points you’re going to have problems.

MATCH FACTS

Middlesbrough: Mejias; Nsue, Kalas, Amorebieta, Friend (Capt. from 67 to 74) (Stephens 74), Adomah, Leadbitter (Capt. to 67) (Clayton 67 (Capt. from 74), Forshaw, Fabbrini, De Pena (Reach 78), Kike

Subs: Agazzi (gk); Gibson, Downing, Nugent

Goals: Adomah 27, 64 Fabbrini 57

Wolverhampton Wanderers: Ikeme (Capt.); Doherty, Saville (Henry 81), Iorfa, Ebanks-Landell, McDonald, Wallace, Van La Parra (Afobe 59), Price, Deslandes, Enobakhare (Le Fondre 60)

Subs: Martinez, Golbourne, Rowe, Ojo.

Referee: Kevin Wright

‘We have to forget the past. We have to know how good we are. Now we are playing well and we are at our best so we have to keep going because it is September and it is a long way.’

It was those priorities that led both managers to select barely recognisable sides from their games in the Championship at the weekend. Seven changes for Middlesbrough and nine for Wolves perhaps explained the stuttering start to this tie in Teesside.

Inspiration was needed and it almost came from Wolves defender Matt Doherty after 26 minutes at the wrong end. A corner from captain Grant Leadbitter caused confusion and Doherty, sticking out a leg in hope more than expectation, almost found his own net.

Yet the deadlock was broken in the 37th minute and this time fortune favoured Middlesbrough.

A cross from £2.7million signing Carlos De Pena on his debut was not dealt with by Ethan Ebanks-Landell. The Wolves defender’s fluffed clearance fell kindly to Adomah who, with only goalkeeper Carl Ikeme to beat, found the bottom right corner.

Once ahead, Middlesbrough found their stride. A low cross from the right wing saw a sublime dummy by De Pena, who allowed the ball to trickle to Fabbrini to double their advantage in the 58th minute.

Shortly after, they got their third when a cross from the left found an unmarked Adomah, who beat helpless Wolves goalkeeper Ikeme from the back post.

Wolves held unbeaten Championship leaders Brighton & Hove Albion at the weekend, even after being reduced to 10 men in the 49th minute, but were far from resilient at the Riverside.

At 3-0 down, they camped in their own half, repeatedly trying to defend Middlesbrough’s attacks. The 312 in the away end that made the journey left with little to show for it after this straightforward win for Middlesbrough, who look like they won’t settle for so-close-yet-so-far this season.