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LUKE AYLING enjoyed a dream return to Elland Road despite fellow Middlesbrough right-back Anfernee Dijksteel threatening to steal the show.
Fan favourite Ayling’s eight years at Elland Road ended when he left on a free for Boro this summer.
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He received a hero’s reception on his first comeback – and he left smiling as last season’s Carabao Cup semi-finalists dished out a second half drubbing.
Boro debutant goalie Sol Brynn, 23, made a bright start as he denied Junior Firpo before opposite number Karl Darlow stopped Delano Burgzorg.
But the fast-start came to a screeching halt and left the Leeds crowd subdued until Ayling got them going when coming for a warm-up on half hour.
That only stirred on the away side as Aidan Morris shot straight at Darlow, Josh Coburn turned and hit the side-netting and Alex Gilbert curled round the post before the break.
However, a moment of magic from Dijksteel silenced the home crowd and sent the 4,000-plus supporters wild in the away end five minutes after the restart.
The defender scored his first goal since April 2019 after collecting the ball out on the right, cutting inside and beating three defenders before firing past a fourth and Darlow left-footed from 18 yards.
Ayling was introduced to the action and within seconds the Boro celebrated a second as Coburn slipped in Burgzorg, and the Dutchman drove forward, turned inside Joe Rodon and slotted home.
Striker Coburn then got his name on the scoresheet as he reacted quickest to slot home after Isiah Jones’ shot was saved.
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Dijksteel said: “It means a lot. It’s big, especially against a big team like Leeds – it’s a good feeling. Who’s next?”
He did not have to wait long to find out as Boro landed a home tie with Stoke.
Boss Michael Carrick said: “Really happy with the boys.
“We believed in the players and the squad and there were so many positives both with and without the ball.
“I’m just pleased to keep a clean sheet, score the goals and I thought the boys did fantastic.
“It was a proper game tonight and I’m sure the next one against Stoke will be a tough one as well, it’s just nice to be at home.”
Leeds manager Daniel Farke, who remains winless this term, said: “We risked a lot by rotating so many and it’s not the players, it’s me.
“If I’m the reason we don’t win the Carabao Cup this season then I take it on the chin.
“We have to say congratulations to Middlesbrough as they deserved to win.
“It was a tight first half but we had a really poor 20 minutes at the start of the second.
“We tried to make changes at 2-0 but we conceded a third at this moment. Overall, that 20 minute period proved crucial.”
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