Middlesbrough 3 – 1 West Brom
Will Lankshear made it six goals in five games following his summer move from Tottenham as Middlesbrough’s strong start to the season continued with a 3-1 home win over West Brom.
Lankshear scored twice at the Riverside, with both goals coming after rebounds off Baggies goalkeeper Max O’Leary, with Alfie Jones sealing Boro’s win with three minutes remaining.
Jimmy-Jay Morgan had briefly levelled for West Brom in the second half, but Boro were able to celebrate a second Sky Bet Championship home win that completed a good week following their Carabao Cup success at Doncaster.
The game was preceded by a minute’s applause in honour of PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough, the two police officers who died in the line of duty when their marked police car was hit by a car travelling in the wrong direction on the A66, less than two miles away from the Riverside Stadium, last Saturday.
Once the action began, Boro were granted a great chance to open the scoring when Isaac Price rolled a backpass straight to Riley McGree, only for the Australian midfielder to flick a first-time effort wide of the target.
West Brom’s best opportunity of the first half saw Felix Myhre sweep a shot wide after an excellent through-ball from Jayson Molumby had unpicked the Boro defence.
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Should Will Lankshear’s goal for Middlesbrough against West Brom have been disallowed?
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Take a look as Will Lankshear latches onto rebound to regain the lead for Middlesbrough against West Brom.
The home side were forced into a change before half-time, with Jeremy Sarmiento heading off injured, and boss Kim Hellberg also brought on summer signing Sebastian Berhalter at the break in an attempt to spark his side into life.
Boro were ahead three minutes after the interval, although the home side’s opener was controversial.
Lankshear was in an offside position when Morgan Whittaker fired in a shot that struck the post. The ball rebounded off the upright, struck West Brom goalkeeper Max O’Leary in the back of the head, and looped up invitingly for Lankshear to head home.
Boro almost claimed a second goal when O’Leary displayed sharp reflexes to prevent Ousmane Diakite from prodding the ball into his own net, and the keeper then pushed Callum Brittain’s header over the crossbar.
They were important saves as West Brom levelled in the 65th minute. Isaac Price floated over an excellent cross from the left of the penalty area, and Morgan eased himself between Luke Ayling and Neto Borges to head home.
Eight minutes later, and Boro were restoring their lead. Substitute Kyle Joseph fired in an angled shot that was saved by O’Leary with his legs, but the ball rebounded for Lankshear to steer home a simple volley.
The home side made their win safe with three minutes remaining when substitute Jones turned the ball home after Ayling miscued a shot across goal.
The managers
Middlesbrough’s Kim Hellberg:
To follow…
West Brom’s James Morrison:
To follow…
