Will Lankshear continued his prolific start to the campaign, finding the net twice in Middlesbrough's 3-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion at the Riverside Stadium. The former Tottenham youngster, who joined Boro in the summer, now boasts six goals in his first five appearances, underscoring his rapid adaptation to the Championship. The match opened with a solemn minute of applause to honor PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough, the two police officers who lost their lives on the nearby A66 when a vehicle traveling the wrong way collided with their marked car.
Their sacrifice was acknowledged by both sets of supporters before the teams took to the pitch. Middlesbrough began brightly, creating an early chance when Isaac Price slipped a back‑pass straight to Australian midfielder Riley McGree.
McGree, however, flicked his first‑time effort wide, missing the opportunity to put the home side ahead. West Brom responded with a promising move when Jayson Molumby threaded a precise through‑ball to Felix Myhre, whose shot was comfortably saved by the Boro keeper. The first half continued with both sides probing for an opening, but the breakthrough came shortly after the interval.
In a contentious sequence, Lankshear found himself in an off‑side position when Morgan Whittaker struck a shot that rattled the post. The rebound struck West Brom goalkeeper Max O'Leary on the back of his head and lofted back into the box, where Lankshear, having timed his run perfectly, headed the ball into the net. The goal sparked debate, but it stood, giving Middlesbrough a 1‑0 lead.
West Brom fought back, and their persistence paid off in the 65th minute. Isaac Price delivered a curling cross from the left flank, and Jimmy‑Jay Morgan rose above his marker, Luke Ayling, to head the ball past Boro keeper Neto Borges and level the score at 1‑1. Middlesbrough's manager, Kim Hellberg, made a tactical substitution at half‑time, introducing summer signing Sebastian Berhalter to inject fresh energy. The change bore fruit eight minutes later when substitute Kyle Joseph unleashed an angled shot that O'Leary saved with his legs.
The rebound fell to Lankshear, who calmly volleyed home to restore the lead, making it 2‑1. The decisive moment arrived in the 87th minute. Alfie Jones, who had come on as a substitute, capitalised on a mis‑hit from Ayling.
The ball slipped across the goalmouth, and Jones headed it past the stranded O'Leary, sealing a 3‑1 win for the hosts. Post‑match, Hellberg praised his side's second‑half transformation, highlighting the intensity of their press and the creation of numerous chances. "The first half we were terrible – we lacked intensity and gave them too much time on the ball. In the second half we turned it around, pressed harder and won fair and square," he said.
West Brom manager James Morrison reflected on the disappointment of conceding a goal that appeared off‑side and the need to avoid such lapses in the future. He acknowledged the team's growing pains, noting that building a new side inevitably involves setbacks, but expressed confidence that the squad would learn and improve as the season progresses. The victory marked Middlesbrough's second consecutive home win in the Sky Bet Championship, following a successful Carabao Cup outing against Doncaster. It also reinforced Lankshear's status as a key attacking threat, having already accumulated six goals in just five games since his transfer.
In addition to the on‑field action, the match featured several broadcast notes for fans. Viewers were advised to use the Chrome browser for optimal video playback, and reminders were included about watching free Championship highlights and accessing live EFL games on mobile devices through Sky's platform. Overall, the game showcased Middlesbrough's resilience, tactical adaptability, and the emerging partnership between Lankshear and the rest of the squad.
With the season still in its early stages, the Boro look poised to build on this momentum, while West Brom will aim to regroup and address the defensive issues that cost them dearly in this encounter.