... to be played here.

... drops wide of the mark.

A chance for plenty of players to get some minutes under their belts - although Daichi has just attempted a lovely through pass, cut out at the last minute.

Oh wow. Daichi Kamada loves the Carabao Cup - it's his third goal in seven games in this competition, and what a goal too, racing onto Strand Larsen's lovely reverse pass and, from a tight angle, chipping Brynn from outside the box with impudence! That is sensational!

It's some lovely breakaway play from Palace to scythe through the Middlesbrough backline. Strand Larsen squares it for Hughes who's made a gut-busting run from midfield... he takes a slightly too heavy touch and 'Boro are able to retrieve.

... for Darío Osorio tonight, who's threatened in spells. Wharton and Kamada are on to replace him and Quinten Timber - another newbie who's made a neat first impression in SE25.

Ben Chilwell is at it, I tell you! It's a lovely ball in from the returning left-back, and Strand Larsen sneaks behind his man to head back across goal - and into the top corner. Emphatic from the Norwegian.

The visitors have made a good start to the second-half and win a corner. It comes in and multiple Boro players get a touch to it, Strelec slipping and prodding it back to Benítez.

... of additional time to be played here.

The visitors look to respond as a set-piece is played deep and headed back across goal - and towards the top corner by Strelec, I think. Benítez responds with a fine fingertip save - before the flag goes up anyway.

Jørgen is off for the season! It's a lovely piece of play from Mingueza out on the right, checking back onto his left foot and bending an inviting cross which - six yards out - Strand Larsen glances beyond the 'keeper. We're in the lead!

It's an admittedly impressive curling effort from Cozier-Duberry, who cuts in from the right and bends a bouncing low finish... just wide of the far post. Benítez might've had it covered.

That's a threatening cross from Conway over on the left for Borough - right into the 'corridor of uncertainty' - but Disasi's sliding intervention is well timed and well controlled. Entertaining first-half in SE25.

It's a lovely take from Pino on his chest, a driving run and an inch-perfect through-ball for Osorio... who's a fraction offside when it's released. Nice run from the Chile international though.

I don't know how that hasn't gone in! Mingueza plays a lovely pull-back into the path of Pino, who meets it first-time... and his effort takes a deflection, looping up just enough for Brynn to dive high to his right and get a finger on it! Incredible stop, but Palace should be ahead.

After a visiting free-kick is half-cleared, Brittain sprints in from the left, checks inside and smashes a shot... straight at Benítez - it hits the keeper's chest! A good spell for Middlesbrough now.

It's lovely play from Osorio in the build-up, driving at the Borough defence and turning before laying it square to Strand Larsen. He backheels into the path of Pino who cuts inside and shoots low... and Brynn in the visitors' goal gets down low to his left to meet it. There was a covering defender on the line.

Not much by way of clear chances, but both teams showing plenty of early attacking intent. A deep Middlesbrough cross almost makes its way to an attack at the far post, but Ahanor doe well to shepherd it behind. Moments later, Tomiyasu makes a great tackle on Strelec.

... from two of our new boys - firstly, Mingueza with an adventurous run down the right which ends in his cross being cut out before it can reach Strand Larsen. Up the other end, Ahanor makes a good intervention to deny Cozier-Duberry any space down the opposite wing.

GLAD ALL OVER!!! An incredible welcome for the two teams - and we're all set to begin this Carabao Cup third-round tie!

... here come the two teams! Remind yourse

... to Phoenix the Eagle's first flight at Selhurst Park! She's off to a bit of a false start, but recovers with a fine swoop at the end. Go on, Phoenix!

Middlesbrough: Brynn (GK), Brittain, Ayling, Jones, Malanda, Byram, Peart-Harris, Morris, Cozier-Duberry, Conway, Strelec.

Matthews (GK), Mitchell, Khalaili, Lerma, McNeil, Kamada, Wharton, Gozo, Guessand.

... and a very warm welcome back to Selhurst Park tonight for our first domestic Cup action of the 2026/27 season! Tonight, the road to Wembley begins again... we hope! Standing in our way: a Middlesbrough team in decent form, with three wins from their opening five Championship fixtures. It's all set for a crunch clash under the Selhurst lights!