Everton are through to the semi-finals of the Capital One Cup for the first time since 2008.

The Toffees comfortably accounted for Middlesbrough 2-0 at the Riverside Stadium thanks to first-half goals form the dazzling Gerard Deulofeu and Romelu Lukaku, who continues to come of age as a lethal striker.

The opener came on 20 minutes when Spanish winger Deulofeu advanced from the halfway line, jinked and jived his way past some Boro defenders, before firing beyond Tomas Mejias.

The second goal occurred just eight minutes later when Deulofeu overawed Fernando Amorebieta down the right with a number of stepovers before providing a lovely cross for Lukaku to head home.

Boro had some chances of their own, namely when Cristhian Stuani produced a diving save from Joel Robles, who was also on hand to deny Stewart Downing just before the hour-mark.

Aitor Karanka's side had shouts for a penalty when Emilio Nsue's cross hit the hand of Brendan Galloway while Stuani headed wide in the 70th minute in what was a disappointing night for the home side.

From a Toffees perspective, Deulofeu returned to torment his former coach Karanka, who backed him to become a star when he was a 14-year-old, and his stunning display has helped Roberto Martinez's men into the semi-finals of the league cup where they have been joined by Manchester City and Stoke City thus far.

2015/16 CAPITAL ONE CUP - QUARTER-FINAL

Middlesbrough (CHA): 0
Everton (PREM): 2 (Gerard Deulofeu 20', Romelu Lukaku 28')
Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough - 31,628