West Brom 2-3 Middlesbrough: Boro get an important win over the Baggies
Middlesbrough came from behind to beat West Brom 3-2 as Tony Pulis’ first return to the Hawthorns after being sacked ended in a win. Dwight Gayle and Jay Rodriguez were the scorers for the home side, while George Saville’s strike and a brace from Britt Assombalonga were enough for the Teessiders to get past the Baggies.
In the 17th minute, Saville got a chance and he put the ball into the bottom corner to give the visitors a vital lead. Rodriguez equalised three minutes before half-time when a Rekeen Harper shot wasn’t well cleared. The striker was on hand to make it 1-1.
Eighteen minutes into the second half, Gayle put the home side ahead with the deflected shot, and it looked like the tide had turned in favour of Darren Moore’s men.
However, substitute Assombalonga, who came on two minutes after West Brom took the lead, netted the equaliser for Boro in the 75th minute with a clinical low strike to beat Sam Johnstone.
Assombalonga was around when Chris Brunt cleared the ball falsely. The striker then had an easy enough chance to score seven minutes from time to give his side a lead at a difficult venue.
Middlesbrough managed to see off the game amidst late pressure from West Brom. Pulis’ men are now on 50 points, same as the Baggies, and seven behind the top two. The battle for promotion places is getting intense week after week, and Boro managed to hold their nerve today to beat one of their direct rivals.
Here’s how their fans reacted on Twitter after such an important win:
The team that finished this game should be starting every game we play. This could honestly be a turning point for us, we’re good enough to turn over any team in this league.
— Mikel Masterclass (@SuperJohnMikel) February 2, 2019
Now to turn this home form around against Leeds, come on Boro!!
— Ross Young (@RossYoung2) February 2, 2019
Absolutely brilliant result! Even sweeter after all the negativity. 7pts behind 2nd with a game in hand! Well done Tony Pulis and the lads! #utb #boro
— BoroMike🇪🇺48% (@MrTaylorM) February 2, 2019
Can we all now back PULIS!! I’m telling you now he’s the man for us! He needs us all to get behind him and the team! Let’s get the riverside rocking again! UTFB🔴😎
— SCOTT BAIN 🇬🇧 (@Scottbain7) February 2, 2019
START BRITT AND HUGILL TOGETHER, think hugill will be so much better in a two up top
— . (@WingWizard26) February 2, 2019
