Lankshear haunted the Baggies as his brace helped Middlesbrough to a 3-1 victory over West Brom, but both goals came amid loud calls for offside. The striker proved the difference at the Riverside, with Boro making the most of their chances to leave West Brom empty-handed despite the controversy surrounding Lankshear’s double.
Another long away trip after a night in Newcastle on Wednesday, a 4am start it was for the journey up to Middlesbrough, making the trip by coach. It was an early one, but with another away day on the cards as we headed north towards the Riverside.
West Brom enjoyed plenty of the ball in the opening 45 minutes and generally dictated the tempo, although they struggled to turn that dominance into genuine openings. Their best chance came after Jayson Molumby found Felix Horn Myhre in a promising position, but the resulting effort drifted wide.
At the opposite end, Middlesbrough had opportunities of their own but were unable to find a way through. Riley McGree sent two efforts wide, while Lankshear came close late in the half when his shot was blocked before the interval.
Middlesbrough made the breakthrough moments after the restart, with Lankshear reacting quickest after Morgan Whittaker’s effort had come back off the post.
West Brom were suddenly under serious pressure and had Max O’Leary to thank for keeping the deficit at one. The Baggies goalkeeper produced an excellent save to prevent Ousmane Diakite from turning the ball into his own net, before denying Callum Brittain’s header during a spell of sustained Boro pressure.
Morrison’s side weathered the storm, though, and eventually found a way back into the contest. Morgan continued his impressive start to the campaign by getting on the end of a precise cross from Price, sending a looping header beyond Radek Vitek to register his fourth competitive goal of the season.
However, the game swung back in Middlesbrough’s favour with 17 minutes remaining, as Lankshear reacted quickest to another rebound to claim his second goal of the afternoon against his former club.
Boro then put the result beyond doubt late on, with Alfie Jones’ effort finding its way through with just a couple of minutes left to complete a frustrating afternoon for the Baggies.
It was ultimately a poor day at the office for West Brom, who will now look to put the defeat behind them and bounce back next weekend. They have the perfect opportunity to do so with back-to-back home games against Charlton and Watford.
Middlesbrough 3-1 West Brom
Goalscorers for Middlesbrough: Will Lankshear (x2), Alfie Jones
Goalscorers for West Brom: Jimmy-Jay Morgan
West Brom: O’Leary, Galves, Phillips, Campbell, Styles, Whitwell (Nzingoula 70), Molumby (Tunde 77), Diakite, Price, Horn Myhre (Heggebø 77), Morgan (Stewart 86).
Our second defeat of the season, and didn’t deserve to lose here Lankshear’s first goal was offside and that’s the difference of the game. We move onto Charlton on Wednesday night at The Hawthorns.