Boro edge West Brom to tighten grip on top spot
It was another big night at the Riverside Stadium as Middlesbrough proved once again why they are setting the pace in the Championship. In front of nearly 28,000 fans, Boro came out on top with a 2-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion, a result that not only stretched their unbeaten run but also moved them four points clear at the top of the table.
The tone of the evening was set in the first half. Middlesbrough’s recent signing David Strelec, brought in from Slovan Bratislava, made an instant impact by scoring his first goal for the club in just the 26th minute. A long throw was flicked on by Luke Ayling, and Strelec managed to sneak in front of his marker and slot the ball past Josh Griffiths. That goal lifted the crowd and gave Rob Edwards’ men the early advantage.
West Brom were not without their moments, though. In fact, they nearly grabbed a perfect start when Nat Phillips forced a save from goalkeeper Sol Brynn within the first minute. But after Strelec’s opener, the visitors struggled to turn possession into clear chances. The best opportunity came early in the second half when Isaac Price met a cross from Jed Wallace, but his header went agonizingly wide.
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Middlesbrough, however, had another gear. At half-time, Strelec was substituted for Kaly Sene, and the move paid off. On 61 minutes, after a flowing move involving Tommy Conway and Hayden Hackney, Sene drilled in a low shot off the post for his debut Boro goal. It was his seventh strike of the season overall, having been on form in Switzerland before joining the club. The Riverside erupted, sensing the points were secure.
But football rarely runs that smoothly. With the clock hitting 90 minutes, Albion pulled one back through Aune Heggebo, who headed home his first league goal for the club. Suddenly, tension filled the stadium as five minutes of added time were announced. West Brom pressed, substitute Josh Maja went close, and the Boro backline was tested, but Edwards’ side held firm to see the match out.
The win was celebrated as a landmark moment. It confirmed Middlesbrough’s best-ever start to a Championship season: five wins and a draw from six matches, 16 points collected, and belief growing that promotion is within reach. Edwards, speaking after the game, admitted his team hadn’t been at their absolute best but praised their resilience, energy, and togetherness.
As for West Brom, it was a second defeat in a row after what had been an unbeaten start. Head coach Ryan Mason expressed frustration, pointing to lapses in key moments and missed chances. Albion remain in the playoff spots for now, but with a tight table, their position is far from secure.
For Boro, though, the story is clear. Momentum is building, the fans are behind them, and even on nights when perfection isn’t achieved, the results are being delivered. That, more than anything, is what promotion campaigns are built on.
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