Bamford’s double sees Boro through as Elphick dismissed
PATRICK BAMFORD guided Middlesbrough into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with two second-half goals to earn this away win over 10-man Aston Villa.
The former Chelsea and Nottingham Forest striker proved a troublesome opponent for Villa’s captain Tommy Elphick, who was sent off in the 58th minute for a foul on Bamford that conceded a penalty.
Bamford converted the spotkick and sealed Villa’s fate nine minutes later with another goal to produce Boro’s first League Cup win over the Midlands club in five encounters.
Elphick, making a rare senior start, came to the club’s rescue with a timely tackle to shut out a shot from Ashley Fletcher.
Elphick, however, earned the first yellow card for a high tackle on George Friend, which was nearer the Middlesbrough player’s knee than his foot.
Villa had a let-off in the 27th minute when Bamford powered in a header against the bar following a right-wing cross from Connor Roberts. It was a rare flash of quick decisive play that deserved a better reward.
The game changed in the 57th minute when Elphick brought down Bamford in the area and collected a second booking and subsequently a red card.
Bamford made no mistake from the penalty spot, casually firing his spot-kick into the middle of the net with Steer diving to his left. Bamford sealed Boro’s place in the fourth round with a looping header to convert Marcus Tavernier’s left-wing cross.