Jorgen Strand Larsen scored twice as Crystal Palace eased past Middlesbrough 3-0 at Selhurst Park on Tuesday evening, booking their place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

The Norwegian striker headed home in each half, with substitute Daichi Kamada adding a composed third — a delicate chip over goalkeeper Sol Brynn — to seal an emphatic victory that belied the run of play.

Boro's dominance undone by Palace's cutting edge

Middlesbrough were the more enterprising side for much of the match, pressing high and causing frequent problems for the home defence. The Championship club had named leading scorer Will Lankshear on the bench as both sides made eight changes apiece, yet they still carved out a string of opportunities.

Amario Cozier-Duberry was their most dangerous outlet down the right flank, testing Walter Benitez on more than one occasion and sending efforts just wide. David Strelec and Callum Brittain also threatened, while Aidan Morris forced a sharp stop from Benitez late in the piece.

Palace, however, were content to absorb that pressure and strike on the counter — and it was a strategy that yielded ruthless results. All three of their goals arrived from rapid transitions, the ball swept from one flank to the other before being converted with clinical precision.

Oscar Mingueza whipped in the cross for Strand Larsen's first-half header, and Ben Chilwell's lofted delivery found the striker again in the second period, with Strand Larsen rising to bury the chance and make it 2-0.

Kamada settled the tie moments later, reading the play perfectly on the break before lifting the ball over Brynn and into the net to complete a dominant scoreline that owed more to Palace's efficiency than their territorial control.

The result was not without its anxious moments — early defensive lapses from Yeremy Pino and a stray pass by Benitez invited unnecessary pressure — but Crystal Palace ultimately showed the composure of a top-flight side when it mattered most.