Michael Carrick to take Middlesbrough's biggest win in his stride after Luton Town swept aside

Edwards’ underperforming Hatters side crashed to their heaviest defeat of the season as they were comprehensively outplayed on Teesside, with the loss coming almost a year to the day since they were holding Liverpool to a draw in the Premier League.

While Luton’s season continues to unravel, Middlesbrough’s is gathering positive momentum after a week that also saw Michael Carrick’s side win at QPR.

Their latest success came courtesy of doubles from Delano Burgzorg and Finn Azaz, and a further goal from Emmanuel Latte Lath, with all three forwards exploiting a porous Luton defence.

It was a game Boro dominated from the start and, although Carrick was delighted with his side’s clinical finishing, he felt their overall performance was in keeping with a number of their more recent displays.

Delano Burgzorg and Azaz both scored twice, with Emmanuel Latte Lath also finding the net after he was restored to the starting side in place of Tommy Conway.

“I was pleased with a lot of it,” said Carrick. “I have to say, though, that I’m not really getting carried away by it because I think we’ve been doing a lot of that build-up and breaking for some time now.

“The boys were clinical and ruthless, and obviously have a feeling about scoring goals at the moment. They’ve also been shared amongst the group, which is great.

“But, from that side of things, it wasn’t really a big jump for me. Yes, the goals came, so it probably feels like it was. But I think a lot of what we’ve been doing in terms of building up the play has been good.

“What I will say is that playing against Luton, with the way they play man-for-man, is different, and we had to adapt to it. You’re not really getting many passes man-for-man, and I think the first 25 minutes showed that.

“So, it’s about trying to be decisive when you do get it, and I thought the boys adapted unbelievably well.”

Asked whether he feared for his future at Luton, Edwards said: “That is out of my hands. I want what’s best for the club.

“If it is (the end), then I’ve loved my time here.”

Middlesbrough: Dieng, Dijksteel, Edmundson (Fry 75), Clarke, Ayling, Morris (Barlaser 71), Hackney, Doak (Jones 81), Azaz, Burgzorg (Hamilton 71), Latte Lath (Conway 71). Unused substitutes: Brynn, McGree, Howson, McCormick.

Luton: Kaminski, Mengi, McGuinness, Holmes, Hashioka, Baptiste (Krauss 55), Walsh (Nakamba 59), Bell (Moses 46), Chong, Woodrow (Morris 55), Adebayo (Clark 59). Unused substitutes: Krul, Andersen, Mpanzu, Brown.

Referee: T Harrington (Cleveland).