Middlesbrough 3 West Brom 1: First league defeat for Albion who impress but lose amid controversy

Albion were condemned to a first Championship defeat of the season as Will Lankshear struck twice in a 3-1 victory.

The Riverside Stadium reverse - goalless at half-time - was not without its controversy as ex-Baggies loanee Lankshear nodded in an opener clearly a yard offside.

Albion’s Jimmy-Jay Morgan headed in a deserved equaliser for James Morrison’s side, who at times purred in an impressive first half, but lacked some punch in final third.

Lankshear, who cost Boro up to £20million from Tottenham this summer, was on hand to tuck in his second with less than 20 minutes left from yet another rebound.

Morrison’s men pushed against the boss’ former club but home substitute Alfie Jones tucked in the final chapter in a tale of the rebounds late on. Kyle Joseph was offside earlier in the move.

Travelling Baggies clapped their troops off after the full-time whistle in the second of this week’s north east double having been impressed with some of their side’s football.

A 3-1 reverse was tough to take and perhaps not an accurate reflection on the action as decisions went against Albion. The Baggies cannot be too sorry for themselves after Aune Heggebo’s Norwich handball.

Morrison’s men return home on Wednesday against Charlton - after Tuesday’s transfer deadline - with Toby Collyer set to sign after the Manchester United man watched on in Middlesbrough. A striker is also on the club’s agenda.

A watchable game broke out early on, with both sides looking to move the ball through from the defensive third, and for the most part doing it well.

But the style almost caught out Morrison’s men. With no danger apparent and the defence moving it calmly, Isaac Price’s blind pass was loose and in came Riley McGree who should have hit the target with Max O’Leary stranded from goal, but the Boro midfielder spooned wide.

It was a wake-up call but not really needed. That situation aside the Baggies moved the ball excellently as they knitted fine moves together.

Price saw a cross-shot from the left parried by unsure keeper Radek Vitek after Nolan Galves advanced from right-back.

Morrison’s side purred at times in a first period. Chances were not regular but they did come. The moves were lovely as Albion fans in that corner sounded their admiration.

Jayson Molumby slid a brilliant low pass into Felix Horn Myhre on the right of the penalty area after one patient move. The angle was tight and the Norwegian required a tough, first-time effort on the spin. His connection was OK but the strike dragged across goal.

The Baggies’ left side of Morgan, Price and Callum styles combined wonderfully at times. A Morgan and Price one-two led to the latter crossing for the former, who was inches away on the slide.

Styles found a good position and took the ball under his spell but hit the deck under pressure. A couple of very bright Baggies counters collapsed in the final moments. Sixty-seven per cent of possession early on told a story.

For all of Albion’s dominance and Boro hesitancy, the hosts retained a threat. Albion old boy Jeremy Sarmiento slid a pass in for McGree, who sent wide across goal on the slide.

The Baggies’ dominance waned later in the first half, as sloppiness crept in, leaving Morrison asking for more. Max O’Leary made a fine double save from the offside Lankshear. The keeper was unaware of the flag.

The visitors were rocked three minutes into the restart as the hosts nodded a controversial opener.

Kim Hellberg’s men worked it well between Luke Ayling and McGree. They fed Morgan Whittaker on the right, who cut on to his left and bent a wicked shot against the far post from the corner of the post.

The ball cannoned down and hit O’Leary on the deck and bounced perfect for Lankshear, who ducked to nod in the simplest opener.

Replays showed the former Tottenham man was at least a yard offside. The officials were unmoved.

Morrison’s men rocked as Nat Phillips, who had a strong game otherwise, got away with a handball shout.

At the other end Price’s shot was blocked but Boro kept coming. Only a brilliant O’Leary save kept out Ousmane Diakite from from doubling the lead with an own goal after Lankshear’s work.

O’Leary was near his best again as he sprawled to keep out Callum Brittain’s header.

The visitors somehow rode the storm and hit back.

They found their feet and got back on the ball - and the equaliser was a lovely one.

A patient move ended with a Price delivery from the left corner of the box. It picked out Morgan six yards out and the striker’s header looped perfectly into the top corner.

Molumby had a shot blocked from Campbell’s surge as Albion pushed. The clash was open, though, and back came Boro.

Another rebound fell to Lankshear and punished the Baggies.

Sub Kyle Joseph was well fed into the box. His left-footed strike was at O’Leary and cannoned back to to Lankshear, who had another simple finish.

Morrison had introduced the very impressive Rabby Nzingoula and turned to Aune Heggebo, back from his ban, and debutant Kareem Tunde.

The visitors pushed as Diakite missed a chance to shoot, Price’s deep cross was turned behind and Nzingoula’s rocket - flying just wide - poleaxed Neto Borges. Tunde was bright and had an effort parried by Vitek.

But Boro delivered a late sting in the tail and a third through sub Jones, with the latest rebound after a series of pinball in the box.

Albion fans clapped their side off - not disheartened from a first league reverse.

Boro (4-2-3-1): Vitek; Brittain, Ayling (c), Malanda, Borges; McGree (Joseph, 69), Morris; Whittaker (Jones, 69), Peart-Harris (Berhalter, 45), Sarmiento (Arfsten, 40); Lankshear (Conway, 86).

Subs not used: Brynn (gk), Phillips, Strelec, Castledine.

Albion (4-4-1-1): O’Leary; Galves, Phillips, Campbell (c), Styles; Whitwell (Nzingoula, 70), Diakite, Molumby (Heggebo, 78), Price; Horn Myhre (Tunde, 78); Morgan (Stewart, 86).

Subs not used: Ingram (gk), Mepham, Williams, Townsend, Bany.

Attendance: 29,571

Referee: Paul Tierney