Will Lankshear continued his impressive start to the season by finding the net twice in Middlesbrough's 3-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion at the Riverside Stadium. The English forward, who joined Boro from Tottenham Hotspur during the summer transfer window, now boasts six goals in his first five appearances for the club, underscoring his rapid adaptation to Championship football. The match opened with both sides probing for an early advantage. Middlesbrough enjoyed a promising chance when Isaac Price slipped a back‑pass straight to Australian midfielder Riley McGree, who attempted a first‑time flick but sent the ball wide of the post.
West Brom responded with a well‑crafted move that saw Jayson Molumby thread a precise through‑ball to Felix Myhre; the Norwegian winger, however, could not convert, shooting narrowly off target. Mid‑first half, the home side appeared to be gaining momentum, but the breakthrough came in a rather unusual fashion.
After a shot from West Brom's Morgan Whittaker struck the upright, the ball rebounded, struck goalkeeper Max O'Leary on the back of his head and lofted into the penalty area. Lankshear, who had been positioned just beyond the off‑side line, timed his run perfectly and headed the ball past the startled keeper to give Middlesbrough a 1-0 lead. The goal sparked a brief debate, as replays suggested Lankshear might have been marginally offside when the original shot was taken, but the referee allowed the goal to stand.
West Brom attempted to respond quickly. In the 65th minute, Isaac Price delivered an excellent cross from the left flank, and Jimmy‑Jay Morgan rose above his marker, slipping a header past the Boro defence to level the scores at 1-1. The equaliser was a relief for the visitors, who had been under pressure after the early setback. The second half saw Middlesbrough make a tactical adjustment.
Jeremy Sarmiento, who had been forced off with an injury before the break, was replaced by summer signing Sebastian Berhalter, a move intended to inject fresh energy into the midfield. The change appeared to have the desired effect, as Boro began to dominate possession and press more aggressively. Their renewed vigor paid off eight minutes after West Brom's goal.
Substitute Kyle Joseph, introduced to add pace on the wing, unleashed an angled shot that O'Leary managed to block with his legs. The rebound fell kindly to Lankshear, who calmly volleyed home to restore Middlesbrough's lead at 2-1. The decisive moment arrived in the 87th minute.
A mis‑hit from West Brom defender Luke Ayling sent a cross‑court ball into the box, where substitute Alfie Jones met it with a well‑timed finish, sealing a 3-1 win for the home side. The final whistle confirmed a comprehensive victory that not only marked Boro's second consecutive Sky Bet Championship home win but also capped a successful week that included a Carabao Cup triumph over Doncaster. In the lead‑up to kickoff, the stadium observed a minute of silence to honour PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough, two police officers who tragically lost their lives on the A66 when their marked police vehicle was struck by a wrong‑way driver.
The tribute added a poignant note to the proceedings, reminding fans and players alike of the community ties that bind the club to its surroundings. Manager Kim Hellberg praised his team's resilience in the post‑match interview.
He highlighted the stark contrast between the two halves, noting that the first period was "terrible" due to a lack of intensity and poor pressing structure, which allowed West Brom to retain possession and frustrate Boro's attempts. Hellberg lauded the squad's halftime adjustments, emphasizing the importance of winning duels and applying sustained pressure, which ultimately turned the game around. "The second half was brilliant – intense pressing, creating loads of opportunities," he said, adding that the victory was earned fairly over 90 minutes. West Brom's captain James Morrison reflected on his side's performance, acknowledging the disappointment of conceding a controversial goal and the need to avoid such mistakes in the future.
He spoke about the team's ongoing development, noting that building a new squad inevitably involves setbacks. Morrison also mentioned the frustration of timing, recalling how Newcastle had scored against them in the Carabao Cup shortly after they had found the net, a pattern he hopes to break moving forward.
Beyond the on‑field action, the match featured several broadcast and fan engagement notes. Viewers were reminded to use the Chrome browser for an optimal video player experience, and promotional messages encouraged fans to watch free Championship highlights on the Sky platform.
Additionally, a promotional call‑to‑action invited viewers to try the "Super 6" competition for a chance to win £250,000, underscoring the commercial aspects that accompany modern football coverage. Overall, the fixture showcased Middlesbrough's growing attacking threat, with Lankshear emerging as a key figure in the squad's forward line. His brace, coupled with contributions from substitutes Kyle Joseph and Alfie Jones, highlighted the depth of the team and the effective integration of new signings.
As the season progresses, Boro will look to build on this momentum, aiming to secure further points and solidify their position in the Championship table.