Good evening! Championship side Middlesbrough will be hoping to continue their impressive League Cup run going this evening as they host Everton in the quarter-finals of the competition. The teams have just been announced, so let's start with a look at the lineups.

MIDDLESBROUGH STARTING XI: Mejias, Nsue, Ayala, Gibson, Amorebieta, Stuani, Leadbitter, Clayton, De Pena, Downing, Kike

EVERTON STARTING XI: Robles, Galloway, Funes Mori, Stones, Coleman, Barry, Osman, Cleverley, Barkley, Deulofeu, Lukaku

MIDDLESBROUGH SUBSTITUTES: Agazzi, Friend, Stephens, Adomah, Forshaw, Nugent, Zuculini

EVERTON SUBSTITUTES: Howard, Baines, Gibson, Kone, Mirallas, Lennon, Naismith

So, Everton were left sweating on the fitness of Gareth Barry and James McCarthy after the duo picked up injuries in the draw with Bournemouth at the weekend. It's 50% good news for the visitors as Barry retains his place in the side, but McCarthy misses out. Roberto Martinez makes three changes to the side that faced the Cherries, with Joel Robles continuing as the cup goalkeeper, while Leon Osman and Tom Cleverley also come in. Tim Howard is on the bench, while Arouna Kone also drops to the substitutes bench.

The home side have made six changes to the side that beat Huddersfield Town 2-0 at the weekend. Tomas Mejias comes in for Dimitrios Konstantopoulos between the posts, while top scorer Christian Stuani is also included in the starting lineup for the first time since before the international break. Fernando Amorebieta, Kike, Grant Leadbitter and Carlos de Pena also get the nod, having missed out at the weekend.

Some may be surprised to see David Nugent missing from the Middlesbrough starting lineup. The striker has been almost everpresent in the league this season, netting four goals so far for Aitor Karanka's side. He's not started any of their previous League Cup fixtures so far this season though, coming off the bench for his only appearance in the competition so far in the last round.

It's been a few weeks since the fourth round of the competition, so let's remind you how these two teams booked their last-eight spots. Everton had to come from behind against Norwich City, before beating the Canaries in a penalty shootout. The Toffees have trailed in all of the matches so far, but have always found a way to get the job done, beating Barnsley in extra time in the second round, before knocking Championship side Reading out in round three.

Middlesbrough caused one of the shocks of the competition so far in their last League Cup outing, stunning Manchester United at Old Trafford. Karanka's side held their Premier League opponents to a goalless draw before also progressing on penalties.

The visitors arrived at The Riverside a little earlier:

The #Everton squad have arrived at the Riverside. https://t.co/C2VJAw1Bjg

— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) December 1, 2015

Ahead of this match, Aitor Karanka revealed that Roberto Martinez was among the first people to congratulate him when he took up the role at Middlesbrough in 2013: "On my first day Roberto sent me a letter to say welcome and congratulations. Roberto is a person I have to thank a lot. He was the first one who I was speaking with when I arrived here. He helped me a lot because at the beginning it was difficult for me. I had a conversation with him and that conversation helped me to improve and settle in here. I have a really good relationship with him now. He is a good example for me and he is the mirror I am looking at."

Meanwhile, Roberto Martinez told reporters: "The real key is for us to have clarity on how to get to the final. Whether it is extra time or penalties. The moment we start thinking about the possibility of getting to a final or winning a title it gets very abstract. You can't think about that. As young players you need to know how to get there. We need to be very clear with that. If we get to the final we can start talking about what it would mean to win a title."

The last two times these two teams have met in the League Cup, it has been Middlesbrough who have progressed. Boro beat Everton on penalties in the fourth round of the competition in the 2003-04 season on their way to lifting the trophy, while beating the Toffees 1-0 in round three in 2005.

Everton's most recent results against Middlesbrough have been good though. They are unbeaten in their last six fixtures against tonight's hosts, including a 2-1 win in the FA Cup in 2009, which was the last time they met.

Middlesbrough come into this fixture following back-to-back wins in the Championship, with just one loss in their last six fixtures in all competitions, which leaves them second in their division.

Everton are unbeaten in their last five matches in all competitions, including their win over Norwich in the last round. The visitors will have been disappointed at the weekend though, having conceded three times in the last 10 minutes in their 3-3 draw with Bournemouth. Romelu Lukaku and Ross Barkley have both been in impressive form in front of goal for Roberto Martinez's side in recent weeks.

This is one of three matches taking place this evening, with Manchester City facing Hull City, and Stoke City taking on Sheffield Wednesday. You can find live coverage of both of those matches here.

Just a reminder, there are no replays in the Capital One Cup, so if the two sides are level after 90 minutes, they will play 30 minutes of extra time, before going to the dreaded penalty shootout if the scores are still level then. One way or another, this tie will be decided tonight.

We've already mentioned that David Nugent is among the substitutes tonight, but he's hoping he does get a chance to face the Premier League, who he supported as a child. He told the club's website: "I grew up an Everton fan and all of my family are blue noses so I'm really looking forward to this game. I've played against them a couple of times now and I scores at Goodison last season, so hopefully if I get selected I can get another one against them."

PREDICTION! With the players due to make their way out in the next 10 minutes or so, it's a good time to make a prediction. Everton are missing a few players, and Middlesbrough have been a formidable side at home this season, but with Lukaku and Barkley in the starting lineup, it's difficult to make a case against Everton coming away with the win. The Toffees have made it difficult for themselves in the League Cup this year, but they should have enough to get past a Championship side that surely have their eyes on promotion rather than silverware this season, so I'm going for a 2-1 win to the visitors. It wouldn't be a shock to see extra time needed though.

Incidentally, Everton have three days longer to rest after this match than their opponents, as their next game is against Crystal Palace next Monday. Middlesbrough will be in action again on Friday night, with a tricky tie against Ipswich Town at Portman Road.

The final match in the quarter-finals of this competition will take place tomorrow, with Southampton hosting Liverpool. Why not check out our preview of that match.

The players make their way out of the tunnel ready for kickoff. Despite some traffic problems around the ground in the build up to this match, it's absolutely packed, with the home side revealing that the match was practically a sellout earlier today.

KICKOFF! Middlesbrough get the action underway.

Middlesbrough look to get forward in the opening moments of the tie, with Ben Gibson launching a deep ball for Kike, but the striker is unable to get on the end of it, leaving Joel Robles to gather for the visiting side.

Everton are seeing plenty of the ball in the opening few minutes, but are being largely kept in their own half by the hosts. Osman tries to pick out Lukaku, but Grant Leabitter clears for Middlesbrough.

Seamus Coleman plays the ball inside to Deulofeu, but the Spaniard's pass into the penalty area is put out for a throw in. The visitors manage to get the ball back into the box, with Barkley crossing in towards Lukaku, but Middlesbrough manage to get it behind for a corner.

Barkley floats the ball back in from the corner, but Amorebieta does enough to stop the Belgian striker getting a clean header, diverting his effort behind for another corner. Everton have been largely in control so far, but the home side are defending well.

Lukaku makes a break down the left, but he's lacking support in the box, with only Leon Osman arriving in the penalty area. The striker tries to cross the ball in for the midfielder, but Ayala beats him to it.

Everton force another corner, but Barkley's ball back into the box is a sloppy one, as it goes straight out the other side. Despite Everton's dominance, there really hasn't been much for the Boro keeper to think about in the opening stages of this fixture.

The home side press down the other end, with Amorebieta picking out Downing from a throw in, leaving the midfielder to cut the ball back past Stones into the Everton box, but it's diverted behind for a corner before Kike can get a foot to it. Daniel Ayala is closest to it as the ball comes back in, but it's a bit too deep for the defender to get his head to it.

CHANCE! Funes Mori gives the ball away in midfielder, leaving Nsue to run at the Everton defender. Stuani tries to take it into the box, but is hacked down by Funes Mori as he tries to make amends for his error, handing the home side a free kick in a dangerous position, just outside the penalty area. Stewart Downing stands over it, curling towards the top right corner, but Robles makes a diving save to tip it wide.

DISALLOWED GOAL! Cristhian Stuani has the ball in the back of the net from the resulting corner, but it was a clumsy shove on Robles that left the competition's joint-top goalscorer open for the header, forcing the referee to rule it out for a foul on the Everton keeper.

A spectacular solo effort from Gerard Deulofeu puts Everton ahead with 20 minutes on the clock, as the Spaniard breaks from midfield, rounding a couple of defenders before lashing the ball into the bottom left corner from just outside the box. It's a superb finish from the former Barcelona man.

Middlesbrough had just been starting to look the more likely of the two sides before Everton's goal, and they're trying to push for a quick equsliser. Daniel Ayala and Emilio Nsue work the ball down the right for the hosts, but the ball eventually ends up being taken by Robles.

Cleverley, who is making his first Everton start since injuring his leg on international duty early in the season, tries to pick out Barkley with a ball through the middle, but Gibson is in the right place to block for the hosts.

Having scored the opening goal, Deulofeu turns provider, controlling a diagonal pass from Barkley before crossing the ball in from the right-hand side of the box for Lukaku, who muscles his way past Amorebieta to head into the bottom right.

It's been an impressive goal-scoring run for Romelu Lukaku over the last few weeks:

5 - Romelu Lukaku has scored in his fifth consecutive game for Everton in all competitions. Form. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 1, 2015

The home side are just trying to keep hold of the ball at the moment. They haven't done much wrong in the first half, showing plenty of pace going forward and defending reasonable well, they've just been beaten by a couple of well-executed moves. Clayton and Nsue charge through the middle, but Everton easily prevent the ball making its way into the box.

CHANCE! Lukaku loses possession, allowing Downing to run at the Everton goal, before Clayton puts a through-ball in for Stuani, but the winger is left with a tight angle as he tries to pick out the bottom left, leaving Robles with a relatively comfortable save.

Middlesbrough try to build again, with Amorebieta and Nsue involved, but the latter loses possession, allowing Lukaku to run back at the Boro goal before squaring it to Barkley, but Ayala blocks the England international's shot.

CHANCE! It's a fraction wide from Kike as he tries to lob the ball past Robles after beating Stones to the ball. The home side have upped the tempo when they have the ball in the last few minutes, and it's helping them find more gaps at the back. A goal back before half time would more than keep the Championship side in contention.

After another string of passes through midfield from the hosts, Kike tries his luck from distance, but the 25-yard strike was always rising, soaring comfortably high of the crossbar.

Everton seem to be trying to slow things down with a series of passes at the back, but a long ball forward drops for Lukaku, although the striker's first touch is lacking on the edge of the box, allowing the Championship side to clear the danger.

CHANCE! Boro win a free kick just outside the box, with Downing lining it up again after coming close from a set piece earlier on. It's another decent effort from the midfielder, but it was always curling wide.

So, first-half goals from Romelu Lukaku and Gerard Deulofeu put Everton in control at half time, but Middlesbrough certainly haven't throw in the towel, showing plenty of attacking intent in the final 15 minutes of the opening half.

It was Everton that saw the majority of the possession in the first 45 minutes, with 59%. The home side have had more chances though, with six to Everton's five. Both teams have had two efforts on target, but the finishing has been the difference, as both of Everton's have ended up in the back of the net, while Robles has kept a clean sheet for the visitors so far.

As well as scoring the opening goal for Everton, Gerard Deulofeu was involved in the second, providing the cross to set up Romelu Lukaku's header. As this stat shows, he's been busy in the League Cup this season:

5 - No player has been directly involved in more League Cup goals this season than Gerard Deulofeu (2 goals, 3 assists). Heart. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 1, 2015

PHOTO: #HesMagicYouKnow @gerardeulofeu celebrates his superb opening goal. #MIDvEFC pic.twitter.com/uhmOqFRQWQ — Everton (@Everton) December 1, 2015

Don't forget, if Middlesbrough can get back on level terms, it will be extra time and potentially penalties this evening. With David Nugent and Albert Adomah on the bench, it's too soon to write the home side off, but it will have to be a mighty second-half performance from Aitor Karanka's side.

UPDATE: If hasn't been a good first half for the three remaining Championhip sides, as Man City are leading Hull City 1-0, while Stoke City are ahead against Sheffield Wednesday by the same scoreline.

RESTART! Everton get the second half underway.

SUB! Boro have made one change at half time as ex-Everton man Adam Forshaw is replacing Carlos de Pena, who didn't have much of an impact in the opening 45 minutes.

Everton try to get forward in the opening moments, with Cleverley and Barry getting touches in midfield, but Kike wins it back and makes a run at the Everton goal, before being forced to put the ball wide by Funes Mori.

BOOKING! Gerard Deulofeu tormented Fernando Amorebieta in the first half, and the Middlesbrough man clearly hasn't forgotten as he wiped the Spaniard out with a reckless challenge, earning himself a booking.

Ayala flicks the ball over the top to Kike, but once again the striker finds himself lacking support up front. He keeps the ball alive though, working it back to Leadbitter, who manages to force a corner with a low drive from 20 yards out. Ayala is closest to the ball as it's whipped back in, but some brave defending from Barry gets the ball away.

Everton are pushing for a third as Seamus Coleman gets forward down the right, eventually crossing the ball in for Lukaku, but Mejias claims the ball first.

CHANCE! John Stones is left clutching his leg in pain after being caught by Forshaw, earning Everton a free kick. The visitors lose possession in midfield though, leaving Forshaw to take on a shot from 25 yards out, but it's just wide of the left post.

CHANCE! Middlesbrough are certainly stretching the Everton defence at the moment as Stuani backheels the ball into the path of Downing on the edge of the box, but the former West Ham man's thunderous strike is parried away for a corner by Robles.

Stones comes under pressure from Leadbitter, which forces the defender to give the ball away to Stuani, but the visitors are let off the hook as the Middlesbrough man loses his footing while turning towards goal. Everton may still have a two-goal cushion, but the Championship side have without a doubt looked the better side in the second half so far.

PENALTY APPEAL! The home side want a penalty as Funes Mori appears to clip the ball with his arm in the box, but the referee isn't convinced. At worst it was accidental from the Everton defender, as he was just a couple of feet away from Nsue as he unleashed his shot.

It's still all Middlesbrough as Amorebieta plays the ball over the top for Kike, who once again finds himself stranded up front, which has been the case all too often this evening. He backheels it into the six-yard box, but with no-one there to meet it, it's an easy clearance for Stones.

CHANCE! Clayton and Downing pass the ball around in midfield as Boro continue to press. Nsue eventually gets a cross in from the right, beating Osman to set up Stuani for the header, but his finish is a fraction high of the crossbar. That was a brilliant opportunity for the hosts, who are running out of time to get back into this match.

SUB! Leighton Baines is coming off the bench for his first appearance of the season, replacing Brendan Galloway.

SUB! Boro are making their second change of the evening as Albert Adomah takes over from Adam Clayton in midfield.

CHANCE! As the action gets back underway following the changes, Boro try to catch Everton out with a quick attack, resulting in a long-range effort from Forshaw, who hits the ball well, but Robles watches it all the way before making a comfortable save.

BOOKING! Deulofeu goes down under a challenge from Ayala, with the Boro man having apparently caught the scorer of the opening goal in the face with a flailing arm. It's Leighton Baines who gets the booking though, for complaining to the referee that Ayala wasn't shown the yellow card.

After a couple of minutes of treatment from the Everton medical team, Deulofeu is fine to continue, but has not made himself popular with the home supporters, returning to a chorus of boos. Barkley gets the ball forward to Baines, who is brought down on the edge of the box, giving Everton a free kick. He's getting in the referee's ear again though, having already been booked for dissent. It's a risky strategy from the substitute.

SUB! Deulofeu must be feeling the clash with Ayala more than it first seemed as he's heading off, with Kevin Mirallas coming on for the final 10 minutes.

SUB! It's a last role of the dice for Aitor Karanka as George Friend takes over from Ben Gibson.

With just a few minutes left to play before they secure their place in the semi-finals, Everton are really just trying to keep the ball and run down the clock, with Baines, Coleman and Funes Mori passing the ball around at the back. Nsue briefly wins it back for the home side, but Lukaku soon gets it back for Everton.

CHANCE! Everton almost rubber-stamp the win as Coleman gets forward to put a cross in from the right for Mirallas, who hits it first time just inside the penalty area, but the Boro keeper makes the save.

SUB! Everton make their final change, replacing the scorer of their second goal, Romelu Lukaku. Steven Naismith comes on for the final few minutes.

BOOKING! John Stones is the latest player to go in the book as he lunges desperately to stop Boro putting the ball in the box. It does give the home side a free kick in a dangerous position though.

CHANCE! Grant Leadbitter takes the free kick, attempting to curl it in low, but there's not enough power behind it, leaving Robles with an comfortable save. Meanwhile, there's a brief delay as a fan has found their way onto the pitch.

As the match heads into four minutes of stoppage time, it looks like the crowd are getting a bit restless as a flare finds its way onto the edge of the pitch. Everton force a free kick near where the flare landed, with Funes Mori trying to control it as it's played in, but Nsue is able to get it away.

Boro clearly want a consolation in the final seconds as Leadbitter plays the ball forward to Friend, who in turn looks for Kike, but his ball into the box is swiftly dealt with by Robles. Forshaw gets it back and puts a cross in from the left, but Barry is there to clear it.

The first-half goals from Romelu Lukaku and Gerard Deulofeu prove enough for Everton, sending the Premier League side through to the League Cup semi-finals at the expense of Middlesbrough. The Championship side gave a good account of themselves, particularly in the second half, but were beaten by a couple of stunning moves from the visitors.

It looks like it will be an all-Premier League last four, with Manchester City having beaten Hull City, and Sheffield Wednesday losing to Stoke City, while Southampton and Liverpool go head to head tomorrow. Everton will learn who they will play in the semi-finals when the draw takes place tomorrow evening.

That's all from this match, but you can catch up with all the action from the League Cup here, and don't forget to join us again tomorrow for the final quarter-final tie and the semi-final draw. Until then, thanks for joining me this evening. Goodbye.