Middlesbrough Suffers 4-0 EFL Cup Defeat by Doncaster

Middlesbrough head coach Rob Edwards described his team's 4-0 defeat to League One side Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup first round as "unacceptable." Despite winning their opening Championship game against Swansea City, Middlesbrough suffered a heavy loss to a Doncaster side that fielded an entirely changed lineup, highlighting Boro's ongoing inconsistency issues. Edwards acknowledged the disappointment and praised Doncaster's aggressive, pressing style that overwhelmed his team, leading to a rare early exit from the competition after three years. He expressed regret to supporters and emphasized the need for Middlesbrough to replicate the strong performance they showed against Swansea in upcoming matches. The loss marked Middlesbrough's first defeat under Edwards and prompted calls for a stronger reaction in their next fixture at Millwall. Fans were visibly upset, with some leaving the stadium early due to the poor performance.