Middlesbrough cruised into the fourth round of the FA Cup after dispatching Sheffield Wednesday by a score of three goals to nil. After a lacklustre first half, the game sparked into life with a double salvo of incident -- Grant Leadbitter's placed free kick put Boro into the ascendancy before Daniel Ayala saw red for an alleged elbow across the face of Fernando Forestieri. The reduction in numbers and increasing attacking intent from Wednesday played into Boro's hands as they were able to exploit bigger pockets of space and ultimately put the game beyond the Owls' reach.
Positives
More space throughout the pitch allowed a number of Middlesbrough's players to play with a more attacking verve given the extra time and touches they were allowed.