Will Lankshear continued his impressive start to the season by finding the back of the net twice in Middlesbrough's 3-1 triumph over West Bromwich Albion at the Riverside Stadium. The former Tottenham youngster, who joined Boro during the summer transfer window, now boasts six goals in his first five appearances, underscoring his quick adaptation to Championship football.
The match began with a solemn minute's applause to honour two police officers, PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough, who lost their lives on the nearby A66 when a vehicle travelling the wrong way collided with their marked car. The tribute set a respectful tone before the players took to the pitch.
Middlesbrough's opening chance arrived early when Isaac Price slipped a back‑pass straight to Australian midfielder Riley McGree. McGree attempted a first‑time flick, but his effort drifted wide, leaving the home side still searching for a breakthrough.
West Brom responded with a promising move of their own; Jayson Molumby threaded a precise through‑ball to Felix Myhre, whose shot, however, sailed over the bar. The first half was a tight affair, with both teams testing each other's defenses but failing to convert.
Boro suffered an early setback when Jeremy Sarmiento was forced off with an injury, prompting manager Kim Hellberg to introduce summer signing Sebastian Berhalter at the interval in hopes of injecting fresh energy. The second half opened dramatically. A controversial sequence saw Morgan Whittaker fire a shot that struck the post, rebounded onto the head of West Brom goalkeeper Max O'Leary, and then looped into the path of an off‑side Lankshear. The referee ruled the goal valid, awarding Middlesbrough a 1-0 lead.
The decision sparked debate, but the momentum was now firmly with the home side. West Brom attempted to level the score in the 65th minute. Isaac Price delivered a lofted cross from the left flank, and Jimmy‑Jay Morgan rose above defender Luke Ayling to head the ball past O'Leary, restoring parity at 1-1.
The equaliser reignited the contest, and both managers adjusted their tactics accordingly. Eight minutes later, Middlesbrough reclaimed the advantage. 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 highlighted Lankshear's poise and his knack for capitalising on second‑chance opportunities. The final blow came three minutes from the end when Alfie Jones, who had entered the match as a substitute, met a mis‑directed cross from Ayling and headed the ball into the net, sealing a 3-1 victory for Boro. The win marked Middlesbrough's second consecutive home win in the Sky Bet Championship and capped a fruitful week that also featured a Carabao Cup success against Doncaster. Post‑match, Hellberg praised his side's transformation after the break.
"I'm delighted with the result. The way we turned the game around in the second half was brilliant – we pressed intensely and created plenty of chances," he said. He admitted the first half had been disappointing, citing a lack of pressing intensity and poor defensive structure.
"We gave them too much time on the ball and made basic errors. The second half was a completely different story; we fought for every duel and earned the win fair and square," Hellberg added.
West Brom manager James Morrison reflected on his team's performance, acknowledging the frustration of conceding a goal that appeared offside. "We talk a lot about managing momentum and the start of each half. The first goal was offside, but we can't dwell on it. We need to avoid conceding cheap goals and keep building as a new side," Morrison remarked.
He also referenced a recent Carabao Cup disappointment, where Newcastle scored shortly after West Brom had found the net, underscoring the fine margins that often decide matches. Beyond the on‑field action, the match was a reminder of the community ties that bind clubs and their surrounding areas.
The tribute to the fallen officers resonated with fans, illustrating how football can serve as a platform for collective remembrance and solidarity. Looking ahead, Middlesbrough will aim to maintain their upward trajectory in the league, hoping that Lankshear's scoring form continues and that the squad's depth, bolstered by summer acquisitions, can sustain the pressure on promotion rivals. For West Brom, the focus will be on tightening defensive lapses and converting the chances they create, especially after a season that has already shown both promise and inconsistency.
The game also featured several ancillary notes for viewers: fans were reminded to use Chrome for the best video playback experience, and the club promoted the availability of free Championship highlights and the option to watch live EFL games on mobile devices via Sky's platform. Additionally, a promotional call‑to‑action encouraged fans to enter the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £250,000, emphasizing the club's engagement with its supporter base beyond the pitch. In summary, Middlesbrough's 3-1 victory over West Brom was defined by Lankshear's brace, a resilient second‑half display, and a poignant pre‑match tribute, all of which combined to deliver a memorable weekend for Boro supporters and set a positive tone for the club's ongoing campaign.