Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka has praised Everton's style of play under Roberto Martinez, after the Toffees knocked his side out of the Capital One Cup on Tuesday.

Everton progressed to the semi-finals of the league cup with a comfortable 2-0 victory over the Championship outfit, courtesy of goals from Gerard Deulofeu and Romelu Lukaku.

"That's the explanation: they were better than us because they are an amazing team with an amazing manager," Karanka said post match.

"We knew that before the game and after the game, I can just say 'congratulations' and how pleased and how proud I am of my players because they played really well.

"Everton had to play 100 per cent to beat us and we had a few chances to score a goal, so for that reason, I am really pleased with the performance of my players."