Will Lankshear continued his impressive start to the season, finding the back of the net twice in Middlesbrough's 3-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion at the Riverside Stadium. The former Tottenham youngster, who joined Boro over the summer, has now scored six goals in his first five appearances, underscoring the impact of his transfer and the team's early momentum in the Championship.
The match opened with both sides probing for openings, but Middlesbrough created the first serious chance when Isaac Price slipped a back‑pass straight to Riley McGree. The Australian midfielder, however, flicked a first‑time effort wide, missing what could have been an early lead.
West Brom responded with a promising move of their own: Jayson Molumby threaded a precise through‑ball that left the Boro defence scrambling, only for Felix Myhre to sweep his shot wide of the post. Midway through the first half, the home crowd was treated to a poignant minute’s applause in memory of PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough, the two police officers who tragically lost their lives on the nearby A66 when a vehicle traveling the wrong way collided with their marked police car.
The first half continued with both teams exchanging chances, but it was the second half that produced the decisive moments. Shortly after the break, Middlesbrough thought they had taken the lead when a shot from Morgan Whittaker struck the post. The rebound fell to West Brom keeper Max O'Leary, who inadvertently headed the ball into his own net. Lankshear, who had been positioned offside at the time of the original attempt, capitalised on the mishap by heading the ball home, giving Boro a 1-0 advantage.
The goal sparked debate, but the referee allowed it as play continued. West Brom fought back, and their persistence paid off in the 65th minute.
Isaac Price delivered a lofted cross from the left flank, finding Jimmy‑Jay Morgan in a crowded penalty area. Morgan, squeezing past Luke Ayling and Neto Borges, managed to head the ball past O'Leary, equalising for the visitors and setting the stage for a tense finale. Eight minutes later, Middlesbrough restored their lead.
Substitute Kyle Joseph, introduced to inject fresh energy, unleashed an angled shot that O'Leary managed to block with his legs. The rebound fell to Lankshear, who calmly volleyed the ball into the net, extending the score to 2-1.
This second strike from Lankshear demonstrated his predatory instincts and his ability to capitalize on second‑ball situations. The final blow came in the dying minutes of the match.
With just three minutes remaining, Alfie Jones, another summer signing, came off the bench and took advantage of a mis‑hit by Luke Ayling. Jones guided the ball across the goal line, sealing a 3-1 win for Middlesbrough and providing a satisfying conclusion to a hard‑fought contest. Post‑match, Middlesbrough manager Kim Hellberg praised his side’s resilience and tactical adjustments.
"I am very happy with the win. How we turned the game around in the second half is absolutely brilliant – intense pressing, creating loads of opportunities," he said.
Hellberg admitted the first half had been disappointing, noting a lack of intensity and poor pressing structure that allowed West Brom to retain possession and frustrate Boro. "We were terrible in the first half, we gave them too much time on the ball and failed to win our duels," he added.
"The second half was a completely different story – we pressed higher, forced errors, and earned a fair victory over a strong opponent." West Brom manager James Morrison offered a measured response, acknowledging the controversial nature of the opening goal and the need for his side to learn from the setbacks. "We talk a lot about managing momentum and starts to halves.
The goal was offside, but I'm not going to complain too much; hopefully we'll get a few ourselves this year," Morrison remarked. He highlighted the team's developmental stage, noting that growing pains were inevitable as they built a new squad.
"We're a new team and we're trying to build something, so there will be little knocks along the way. It's part of our learning curve, and we'll get stronger as we go along," he said. The victory marked Middlesbrough's second consecutive home win in the Sky Bet Championship, following a recent Carabao Cup triumph over Doncaster. The win also kept Boro in contention for a top‑four finish, reinforcing the impact of their summer acquisitions, including Lankshear, Sebastian Berhalter, and Alfie Jones.
Their performances suggest a squad that is beginning to gel, with a blend of youthful vigor and experienced leadership. Beyond the on‑field action, the match featured several reminders of the broader community context.
The minute’s applause for the fallen police officers served as a solemn reminder of the risks faced by law‑enforcement personnel, and the club’s acknowledgement of the tragedy highlighted the close ties between the club and its surrounding area. Overall, the game provided a compelling narrative of comeback, individual brilliance, and collective effort. Lankshear’s brace not only boosted his personal tally but also exemplified the kind of decisive contributions that can turn tight fixtures into decisive victories. With the season still in its early stages, Middlesbrough will look to build on this performance, maintaining the intensity that defined the second half and aiming to secure further points in the challenging Championship race.