Middlesbrough struck three second-half goals to account for Sheffield Wednesday despite having defender Daniel Ayala sent-off in their FA Cup third round tie.
The Spaniard was given his marching orders for bringing down Fernando Forestieri soon after Grant Leadbitter had opened the scoring direct from a free-kick.
Alvaro Negredo then diverted goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith’s attempted clearance back into his net, and Marten de Roon claimed a late third goal from the edge of the area.
The opening half had proved a decidedly uneventful affair with little in the way of genuine excitement for the assembled gathering.
Home stopper Ayala witnessed his shot clearing the target before later producing an important block when Barry Bannan was well-placed.
The visitors began strongly after the restart, although it was their opponents going in front with the first attempt on target; Leadbitter curling in a low free-kick after De Roon was fouled.
Moments later Ayala was brandished a straight red card when adjudged as last man while taking out Forestieri close to the area.
However, Negredo soon closed down keeper Wildsmith and returned his clearance into the net to double the advantage.
Cristhian Stuani then saw a further effort ruled out for offside from Negredo’s cross, while substitute Atdhe Nuhiu headed straight at Brad Guzan following a mistake at the other end.
Boro duly extended their margin of victory in added tine, though, courtesy of de Roon when Stuani was initially denied.
Middlesbrough: Guzan, Chambers, Ayala, Bernardo, Friend, de Roon, Clayton (Downing 62), Leadbitter, Stuani, Negredo, Traore (Fabio 62)
subs (unused): Konstantopoulos, Gibson, Rhodes, Gestede, Forshaw
Goals: Leadbitter (58), Negredo (67), de Roon (90)
Sheffield Wednesday: Wildsmith, Palmer (Lucas Joao 72), Lees, Loovens, Pudil, Wallace (McManaman 46), Jones, Bannan, Reach, Forestieri, Fletcher (Nuhiu 71)
subs (unused): Semedo, Dawson, Hunt, Sasso
Ref: D. Coote
Att: 23,661
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