Middlesbrough 2-1 West Brom: Strelec and Sene extend gap at the top of the Championship
David Strelec and Kaly Sene scored either side of half-time to give Middlesbrough a 2-1 win at home against West Brom.
Middlesbrough extended their early lead at the top of the Championship with a 2-1 win against West Brom at Riverside Stadium.
David Strelec and Kely Sene scored for Boro either side of half-time to move Rob Edward's side four points clear of Stoke City at the top of the league, while Aune Heggebo scored a late consolation for West Brom.
Strelec marked his home debut with a goal after 26 minutes. Luke Ayling flicked the ball on from a long throw and Strelec went full stretch and placed his shot past a helpless Josh Griffiths.
The visitors did not offer much threat as they searched for an equaliser, and Boro doubled their lead shortly after the hour mark. Sene, who replaced Strelec at the break, combined brilliantly with Tommy Conway and Hayden Hackney before finding the bottom-left corner from inside the box.
Boro seemed to be cruising to victory before Heggebo forced a nervy finish in the 90th minute. He managed to beat Sol Brynn to Mikey Johnston's cross and headed the ball past the goalkeeper.
However, Boro hung on for all three points and secured another week at the top of the Championship despite late efforts from Ryan Mason's side.
Data Debrief: West Brom's Riverside struggles continue
Middlesbrough almost threw away their hard work after their slow finish, but they managed to hold off their counterparts. The hosts proved to be more clinical in the end, overperforming their expected goals (xG) of 0.96, while the Baggies created 0.89.
West Brom have only won once in their last eight matches at Riverside Stadium (two draws, five losses), winning 1-0 under Slaven Bilic in October 2019 through a Hal Robson-Kanu goal.
Boro, meanwhile, have beaten the Baggies in four consecutive league meetings for the first time since 1994 to 1997.
