Road to the Final

As a Premier League side, Middlesbrough entered the competition in Round Two, where they hosted third-tier side Brighton and Hove Albion at the Riverside Stadium.

The visitors took the game into extra-time, but it was Boro who ultimately claimed victory, with substitute Malcolm Christie netting the decisive goal.

In Round Three, McLaren's men easily saw off a spirited Wigan Athletic side who were on the road to success themselves in the First Division.

Premier League opposition followed next in the form of Everton, and neither could be separated after 120 minutes of football, so it was down to penalties to decide the tie.

Boro goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer became the hero, saving Leon Osman's penalty, before Mendieta stepped up to convert the winner.

The Quarter-Final beckoned, and with it a trip to White Hart Lane. A first-minute goal from Darren Anderton saw Tottenham Hotspur take the lead, but an 86th-minute equaliser from Michael Ricketts forced an extra 30 minutes.

A shootout for the second successive game followed for Boro, and it was tense. It took sudden death, and a spot kick from Franck Queudrue to win it for the visitors and set up a Semi-Final with what would be Arsenal's 'invincibles'.

Carabao Cup Flashback: Middlesbrough's historic 2004 triumph

Carabao Cup Flashback: Middlesbrough's historic 2004 triumph