Will Lankshear continued his impressive start to the campaign by finding the back of the net twice, helping Middlesbrough secure a 3-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion at the Riverside Stadium. The former Tottenham youngster, who joined Boro over the summer, now boasts six goals in his first five league appearances, underlining his rapid adaptation to Championship football. Both of Lankshear's strikes came from similar situations: each followed a rebound off West Brom goalkeeper Max O'Leary after a shot had struck the post.
The first goal arrived early in the second half when a shot from Morgan Whittaker ricocheted off the upright, then glanced off O'Leary's head before looping back into the penalty area. Lankshear, who had been caught in an off‑side position, managed to get his head on the loose ball and direct it past the keeper for the opening goal.
The second came eight minutes later, after substitute Kyle Joseph unleashed a low, angled effort that O'Leary saved with his legs. The rebound fell kindly to Lankshear, who calmly volleyed it home to restore Boro's lead. Alfie Jones capped the win in the 87th minute.
After a misplaced shot from West Brom defender Luke Ayling drifted across the goalmouth, Jones arrived late to the ball and tucked it home, sealing a comfortable finish for the home side. West Brom did manage to pull one back in the 65th minute. Isaac Price delivered a well‑timed cross from the left flank, and James Morgan rose above his marker, Luke Ayling, to head the ball past Boro goalkeeper Neto Borges and level the score at 1-1.
However, the visitors could not sustain the momentum, and Boro's second‑half resurgence ensured the result stayed in their favour. The match was preceded by a solemn minute's applause in memory of PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough, two police officers who lost their lives on the A66 when a vehicle traveling the wrong way collided with their marked police car just a couple of miles from the stadium. The opening stages saw Middlesbrough create an early chance when Isaac Price slipped a back‑pass straight to Australian midfielder Riley McGree, who attempted a first‑time flick that sailed wide.
West Brom responded with a promising move when Jayson Molumby threaded an incisive through‑ball that left the Boro defence exposed; however, Felix Myhre's ensuing shot was off target. A tactical adjustment was forced on Boro before the break when Jeremy Sarmiento was forced off with an injury. Manager Kim Hellberg responded by introducing summer signing Sebastian Berhalter at halftime, hoping the fresh legs would inject energy into a side that had struggled to press effectively in the first half.
In his post‑match press conference, Hellberg praised his team's second‑half transformation. "I'm delighted with the win and especially with how we turned the game around after the interval," he said. "Our pressing was intense, we created a lot of chances, and that’s the style of football I want to see. The first half was honestly terrible – we lacked intensity, gave them too much time on the ball, and made basic mistakes.
The second half was a completely different story; we fought for every duel and earned the three points fairly." West Brom manager James Morrison offered a measured reflection on his side's performance. He acknowledged the frustration of conceding a goal that appeared to come from an off‑side position, but urged his players not to dwell on it. "We’re a new squad still finding our rhythm.
There will be bumps along the way, but we’ll learn and grow," Morrison said. He also highlighted the timing of goals as a key disappointment, referencing a recent Carabao Cup defeat to Newcastle where the opposition scored shortly after Boro had found the net. Statistically, the match featured several noteworthy moments.
Boro's defense, after a shaky opening, tightened considerably, limiting West Brom to just one goal despite several periods of pressure. O'Leary, while conceding two rebounds that led to Lankshear's goals, also made several important saves, including a reflex stop that prevented Ousmane Diakite from inadvertently directing the ball into his own net. The victory marked Middlesbrough's second consecutive home win in the Sky Bet Championship, following a comfortable triumph in the Carabao Cup against Doncaster.
The win also extended their unbeaten run at the Riverside, reinforcing their status as early season contenders. Looking ahead, Boro will aim to build on this momentum as they chase a promotion push, while West Brom will need to regroup and address the defensive lapses that allowed Lankshear to capitalize on second‑chance opportunities. Both managers emphasized the importance of maintaining focus, improving pressing intensity, and learning from the setbacks encountered during the match.
Overall, the game provided a mix of emotional tribute, tactical adjustments, and individual brilliance, with Lankshear's brace standing out as the headline moment in a contest that ultimately showcased Middlesbrough's growing confidence and resilience in the early stages of the Championship season.