Emmanuel Latte Lath: Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick pleased by striker's penalty winner

Middlesbrough striker Emmanuel Latte Lath pleased boss Michael Carrick with his confidence in scoring a crucial penalty kick to edge out Exeter City in Tuesday's thrilling Carabao Cup tie.

The Ivorian, 24, was signed from Atalanta after last season's top scorer Chuba Akpom departed for Ajax.

He now has four goals, as he helped Boro reach the quarter-finals.

"He's a centre forward, that's what they live for, chances to score goals," Carrick told BBC Radio Tees.

"It was a big, big moment. Credit to him, he stood up, looked confident and put it away.

"I'm delighted for him. It was a tough game and not easy to overcome."

While the main focus is on guiding Boro to at least a repeat of last season's Championship play-off campaign, Carrick - a former winner of the competition with Manchester United - is keen to take up the opportunity to progress in the EFL Cup.

It is 20 years this season since Steve McClaren's side edged out Bolton at Cardiff thanks to a penalty from slipping Dutchman Bolo Zenden and is still Boro's only major honour to date.

"Winning games is what we're here for and I'll never turn my nose up at a cup run," Carrick added.

"It's the beauty of the cup, the excitement and the thill of winning and potentially getting closer.

"We've still got a long way to go so I'm not getting carried away but winning games, having good nights and scoring is great.

"1,500 fans coming down here on a Tuesday night is incredible, the players have done great but I'm more satisfied we could make that worthwhile for the supporters."

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Image by Getty Images