How the Middlesbrough players rated as they beat West Brom 3-2
Delano Burgzorg of Middlesbrough celebrates with teammates(Image: Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
Middlesbrough stayed second in the Championship with a dramatic late win at West Brom, after a spirited fightback from the home side.
Managing a unique occasion so well as Eric Ramsay took charge of West Brom for the first time, they got through a tricky start and led 2-0 through a Charlie Taylor own goal and Sammy Silvera.
But in a mad ten minutes after Adilson Malanda missed a great chance to wrap up the win, goals from Isaac Price and Jed Wallace looked to have secured the Baggies a point. That was until Delano Burgzorg stepped up in the 90th minute to put transfer talk to the back of his mind with a huge winner for Boro. Here’s how the players rated.
Sol Brynn – 8
Nothing he could do with either West Brom goal, but he made a few very good saves before that. The one-on-one when the game was still goalless was particularly important when considering Boro’s struggles after falling behind.
Alan Browne – 7
Samuel Iling-Junior looked a threat throughout down Boro’s right. But, doing a job out of position for Boro, Browne didn’t ever look out of place in that battle.
Adilson Malanda – 7
Malanda was largely superb, sticking to Heggebo like glue and dominating the powerful Baggies striker. He should have made this a far more comfortable night for Boro with his header at 2-0. Thankfully, it wasn’t costly in the end.
Luke Ayling – 7
Caught out a couple of times – once in possession and once with a ball over the top. But otherwise solid and commanding. As usual, confident and ambitious playing out from the back too.
Matt Targett – 7
Another big performance from the Newcastle United loanee. He looks so at home in Boro’s defence and rarely gets flustered when attacked on. West Brom’s biggest threat was always the other side. He got forward and supported attacks well too.
Hayden Hackney – 9
A majestic performance from the Boro star. He had a hand in all three Boro goals – driving his side forward in typical Hackney fashion for the first two, and then providing a nice touch into Silvera in the build-up to the winner.
Aidan Morris – 8
Kept things ticking in the middle for his side and showed his usual energy and aggression to support Hackney. His pass through the line opened it up for Boro’s winner.
Sammy Silvera – 8
His fine form continued as he produced an excellent finish to put Boro 2-0 up. You could argue it was his defensive work that was equally as eye catching in this one, as he regularly got back with determination to win the ball back for his side. Did give away the foul that led to West Brom’s first as he was a little over-zealous on the edge.
Morgan Whittaker – 7
There were a couple of individual moments of class, but in general, this was one of Whittaker’s quieter games as West Brom kept a close eye on him. He still leaves with an assist for Silvera’s goal though.
Alex Gilbert – 7
Struggled early on to get into the game, but slowly started to grow into it and was so unlucky that Boro’s first was not his as he hit the post. Supported Targett in defence much better in this one when needed, though often took up an interesting false nine role.
Tommy Conway – 7
He didn’t really look like scoring again, but don’t underestimate the importance of his work rate in this game. Regularly floating more out to the left, his work in tracking back and winning the ball back, and then pressing high at other times was so important in this one.
Substitutions
Delano Burgzorg (For Gilbert, 64’) – 8 – Bright from the moment he came on. He won the free-kick that should have seen Boro go 3-0 up and make it easy. He then fired the crucial late winner.
Dael Fry (For Whittaker, 82’) – N/A
Leo Castledine (For Conway, 92’) – N/A
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