Middlesbrough Edge West Brom In Dramatic Five Goal Thriller

The atmosphere at The Hawthorns crackled with anticipation on Friday night as West Bromwich Albion unveiled their new head coach, Eric Ramsay, for his first game in charge. Ramsay, who arrived with a reputation built from stints at Manchester United and a successful run in Major League Soccer with Minnesota, was tasked with reviving a Baggies side languishing in 18th place and desperate for a spark. Yet, despite a valiant late rally, it was Middlesbrough who stole the show, snatching a dramatic 3-2 victory in stoppage time and tightening their grip on an automatic promotion spot in the Championship.

Both squads entered the clash nursing injury headaches. West Brom were without midfielder Tammer Bany, sidelined with a thigh injury, and Ousmane Diakite, who was granted compassionate leave following a family bereavement. Alex Williams, another midfield option, remained out with an ankle problem, adding to Ramsay's selection dilemmas. The Baggies' recent struggles, highlighted by a 10th consecutive away defeat at Leicester City that spelled the end for Ryan Mason, meant the stakes for Ramsay's debut couldn't have been higher.

On the other side, Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg faced an even longer injury list. Defenders Callum Brittain, Alfie Jones, Alex Bangura, George Edmundson, and Darragh Lenihan were all absent, forcing a reshuffle at the back. Midfielder Riley McGree and forwards David Strelec and Kaly Sene were also unavailable. Despite these setbacks, Boro arrived in the West Midlands brimming with confidence, fresh off a 4-0 demolition of Southampton and a spirited FA Cup showing against Premier League side Fulham.

From the opening whistle, West Brom looked to harness the energy of the home crowd and the "new manager bounce." Their intent was clear: press high, win the ball early, and unsettle a Boro side that had struggled for consistency on the road in recent weeks. Yet, it was Middlesbrough who gradually took control, absorbing the early pressure and dictating play with composed possession.

"We had to manage that opening ten or 15 minutes and get through it, taking the sting out of the hosts' momentum," observed a Boro insider, reflecting the team's tactical discipline. As the first half wore on, the visitors began to probe more dangerously, with creative midfielder Hackney orchestrating attacks and Morgan Whittaker—Boro's standout performer with ten league goals this season—always a threat between the lines.

The breakthrough came in the 42nd minute, albeit in fortuitous fashion. Hackney drove forward and slipped a ball to Gilbert, whose low effort struck the post. The rebound ricocheted off West Brom defender Charlie Taylor and into the net, handing Middlesbrough a 1-0 lead just before the break. It was a cruel blow for the Baggies, who had defended stoutly but found themselves behind due to a stroke of bad luck.

After halftime, Boro continued to assert themselves. In the 57th minute, Hackney again played provider, surging through midfield before sliding the ball to Whittaker. Though the chance seemed to slip away, Whittaker cleverly fed Silvera on the edge of the box. Silvera made no mistake, drilling a low finish across goal to double the visitors' advantage and momentarily silence The Hawthorns.

But if anyone thought West Brom were finished, they were sorely mistaken. Ramsay's men, perhaps galvanized by their new boss, summoned a spirited response. In the 75th minute, Price stepped up for a free-kick right on the edge of the area and unleashed a thunderous strike past a helpless Brynn in the Boro goal. Suddenly, the home fans found their voice, and the momentum swung sharply in Albion's favor.

Just five minutes later, the comeback was complete—or so it seemed. Iling-Junior, lively on the flank, whipped in a low cross that was only partially cleared by Hackney. The ball fell kindly to Wallace, who hammered it home to level the score at 2-2 and send the home supporters into raptures. "We're level. Boro look to have thrown this one away. Two goals in five minutes," remarked one reporter, capturing the drama of the moment.

With the clock ticking toward full-time, both sides pressed for a winner. West Brom, buoyed by their comeback, poured forward, while Middlesbrough looked to steady the ship and regain composure. It was Boro who found the decisive moment in stoppage time. Morris, who had been industrious all evening, played a clever ball into Hackney. A deft flick set Silvera free, and the ball was slid through to Delano Burgzorg, who kept his cool to fire beyond Griffiths and snatch all three points for the visitors.

The victory was a testament to Middlesbrough's resilience and ability to rise above adversity, especially given their lengthy injury list. It also underscored the impact of key performers like Hackney and Whittaker, the latter having scored eight goals in his last eleven league outings. "Only Southampton's Adam Armstrong has more league goals this season than Boro's Whittaker," noted analysts, highlighting the winger's growing influence since his move from Plymouth Argyle.

For West Brom, the defeat marked a seventh loss in nine Championship games and left them just seven points clear of the relegation zone. While Ramsay's debut ended in heartbreak, there were signs of encouragement in the team's late rally and the energy injected by the new head coach. The Baggies' strong home record in recent months suggests there's still hope for a turnaround, but the pressure is mounting with Norwich City up next at The Hawthorns.

Middlesbrough, meanwhile, solidified their hold on second place in the table and moved five points clear of third-placed Ipswich Town, who face Blackburn Rovers in their next outing. The Teessiders' mix of grit and attacking flair has them well positioned in the promotion race, and this dramatic win on the road will only fuel belief in their quest for a Premier League return.

As the dust settles on a pulsating night in the Black Country, both sides will take away lessons and renewed determination. For Ramsay and West Brom, the search for stability and points continues. For Hellberg's Middlesbrough, the dream of automatic promotion looks more alive than ever after a thrilling victory that had fans on the edge of their seats until the very last kick.