The first half ended goalless but Boro had already caused plenty of problems and Michael Carrick’s side went went ahead in the 50th minute through a fine individual goal from Anfernee Dijksteel who cut in from the right and skipped past Brenden Aaronson and Junior Firpo before firing home a low shot underneath Darlow. Moments later, Boro almost doubled their lead through Delano Burgzog who saw two attempts blocked after another Boro break behind Firpo, Wober and Aaronson down the right.
But the visitors were causing Leeds all sorts of bother and Carrick’s side bagged a second goal on the hour mark through a rapid counter, Patrick Bamford dispossessed in his own half and Josh Coburn sending through a precise through ball for Burgzog who fired past Darlow to make it 0-2.
Things then nearly got even worse for Leeds as Burgzog was picked out from another break down the right but the forward saw two attempts blocked. But Boro bagged a third goal in the 67th minute amid more awful Leeds defending, Coburn this time on the follow-up to a blocked Isaiah Jones shot after the Whites were picked apart by a few passes from a Karl Darlow goal kick.
Even then the onslaught continued and Coburn flashed a shot just wide after being played in behind Joe Rodon before Dijksteel hammered a fierce shot over the bar from the edge of the box. Farke made five substitutions in a bid to turn the tide but the damage had been done although Georginio Rutter was unlucky to see a thunderous drive smash back off the post, Piroe heading wide as he looked to follow up.
Nevertheless, the contest was completely done and there were confused looks as it was deemed necessary to announce eight minutes of added time, in which Boro were a whisker away from bagging a fourth through Finn Azaz who sent a lovely curled effort just wide from the edge of the box.
Leeds United writer Lee Sobot hands out the scores from a terrible night for the Whites at Elland Road.
7. Joe Rothwell
5 - Buzzed about in the first half as part of an energetic display and with several runs forward but without any impact and then faded. Photo: Stu Forster
8. Brenden Aaronson
3 - A really poor night, unable to offer much offensively despite seeing plenty of the ball and then allowed Dijksteel to sail past him too easily for the opening goal. Photo: Gary Oakley
9. Joel Piroe
3 - Another for whom nothing came off in the no 10 role and a very frustrating night. Photo: George Wood
10. Joe Gelhardt
5 - Started brightly playing on the right wing and probably the most dangerous attacking Leeds player in the first half although the standard was low and troubled defensively at times despite his willingness to get back and help. Photo: Nick Potts
11. Patrick Bamford
3 - A full match under his belt but his sliced volley that went well wide into the Kop in the 98th minute about summed it up. Photo: George Wood
12. Georginio Rutter (sub)
7 - Could see he was desperate to try and make something happen and very unlucky to see his shot fly back off the post. Photo: Nick Potts