Tony Mowbray’s start didn’t get off to the best start as Middlesbrough beat the Baggies 2-0 in his first game back as head coach on Tuesday evening at the Riverside Stadium.
Not a great night at the Riverside Stadium as Hayden Hackney and Ben Doak earned three points for Middlesbrough.
Mowbray had watched briefly during Saturday’s Stoke draw – but decided to name an unchanged XI against his former team, who gave him a very warm reception before kick-off.
Early in the game Darnell Furlong had a shot fired past the far post as both teams exchanged early chances, Middlesbrough also threatened when Emmanuel Latte Lath swept over and Delano Burgzorg saw his shot well blocked.
Mikey Johnston’s attempt was halted and Tom Fellows created a chance that hit the side netting, it was Middlesbrough who created the best opportunities in the first half.
The hosts found the net in the 29th minute with Hayden Hackney’s long range shot hit the back of the net with nothing that Palmer could do.
Then Palmer’s save denied Boro another when former academy player Finn Azaz was denied a goal, while Latte Lath saw his shot hit off the target, as the Baggies was a goal down at the break.
The second half the Baggies improved with us putting Middlesbrough under pressure.
Mikey Johnston half vollyed a decent opening wide, with Mason Holgate who went closest hitting the post following Johnston’s cross.
Boro secured victory with seven minutes remaining through Doak’s curler who is on loan from Liverpool that send the Baggies home empty handed despite further pressure throughout stoppage time.
West Brom: Palmer; Furlong, Holgate, Heggem, Styles; Molumby (Swift 66), Mowatt; Fellows, Diangana, Johnston (Cole 78); Grant (Wallace 66).