'Massive step forward' despite cup exit - Hellberg

Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg insisted his side took "a massive step forward" despite exiting the Carabao Cup with a 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on Tuesday.Jorgen Strand Larsen scored headers in each half before Daichi Kamada added a third as Palace advanced to the fourth round.Hellberg admitted his players needed to be better in certain moments but was happy with the performance and, with more players coming back from injury, believes competition for places will see the team get even better.