Will Lankshear continued his impressive start to the season by finding the net twice in Middlesbrough's 3-1 triumph over West Bromwich Albion at the Riverside Stadium, marking his sixth goal in just five matches since joining the club from Tottenham during the summer transfer window. The Boro side, buoyed by a strong early campaign, extended their winning streak with a decisive home victory that also followed a recent Carabao Cup win against Doncaster. The match opened with a solemn minute of applause to honour two police officers, PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough, who tragically lost their lives on the A66 when a vehicle traveling the wrong way collided with their marked police car just under two miles from the stadium. The tribute set a respectful tone before the action kicked off.
Middlesbrough enjoyed an early chance when Isaac Price delivered a back‑pass that found Riley McGree in space. The Australian midfielder, however, flicked a first‑time effort wide, missing an opportunity to put the hosts ahead. West Brom's most promising attack of the first half came when Felix Myhre, after receiving a precise through‑ball from Jayson Molumby that split the Boro defence, sent a shot wide of the post.
Both sides made tactical adjustments at the break. Middlesbrough's Jeremy Sarmiento had to leave the field with an injury, prompting manager Kim Hellner to introduce summer signing Sebastian Berhalter in an effort to inject fresh energy into the team.
The visitors also made a substitution, bringing on Kyle Joseph to add pace on the wing. The second half began with a controversial opening goal.
After Morgan Whittaker's shot struck the post, the ball rebounded, hit West Brom goalkeeper Max O'Leary on the back of his head and looped into the penalty area. Lankshear, who had been positioned offside when the original shot was taken, was able to meet the rebound with a powerful header and send the ball into the net, giving Boro a 1-0 lead.
The decision sparked debate, but the goal stood. West Brom responded quickly. In the 65th minute, Isaac Price delivered a high, curling cross from the left flank. Jimmy‑Jay Morgan rose above his marker, Luke Ayling, and headed the ball past O'Leary to level the scores at 1-1.
The equaliser lifted the spirits of the visitors and set up a tense finish. Eight minutes later, Middlesbrough reclaimed the lead. Substitute Kyle Joseph unleashed an angled shot that O'Leary managed to block with his legs, but the rebound fell to Lankshear, who calmly volleyed home to make it 2-1. The goal showcased Lankshear's poise and finishing ability, reinforcing his status as a key attacking asset for the club.
The final blow came in the 87th minute when Alfie Jones, who had come on as a substitute, capitalised on a mis‑controlled clearance from Ayling. Jones turned the ball past the keeper and into the net, sealing a 3-1 victory for Middlesbrough. After the match, Hellner praised his team's resilience and tactical shift in the second half.
"I'm delighted with the result and especially proud of how we turned the game around after a sluggish first half," he said. "Our pressing was intense, we created numerous chances, and the players executed the plan perfectly. The first half was disappointing – we lacked intensity, gave away too much possession, and made simple errors. The second half, however, showed the character we want this side to embody." West Brom manager James Morrison reflected on the disappointment of conceding a contentious goal and the need for his side to learn from the experience.
"We talked a lot about managing momentum at the start of each half," he remarked. "The opening goal was offside, but we won't dwell on it.
We need to avoid conceding cheap goals and improve our defensive concentration. We're a young squad still finding our identity, and setbacks like this are part of the learning curve." Beyond the on‑field drama, the fixture highlighted community solidarity, with fans and players alike remembering the fallen officers. The match also underscored Middlesbrough's early-season form, as they secured another Sky Bet Championship home win and continued to build momentum in the league table. The team's blend of youthful exuberance, as demonstrated by Lankshear's clinical finishing, and experienced leadership from players like Jones, suggests a promising trajectory for the rest of the campaign.
Overall, the game offered a mixture of emotional tribute, tactical adjustments, and decisive moments that culminated in a well‑deserved three‑point haul for Boro, while providing West Brom with valuable lessons as they look to regroup and improve in upcoming fixtures.