Hayden Hackney fired Middlesbrough to back-to-back league wins for the first time this season with a 1-0 victory over West Brom at The Hawthorns.
The first period was a half of very few chances but Alex Palmer twice denied the visitors from taking the lead with fine stops to efforts from Emmanuel Latte Lath and Finn Azaz.
Middlesbrough were looking to back up their 2-0 victory over Stoke on the weekend with another win over West Brom who started the night as league leaders.
Ben Doak, Latte Lath and Luke Ayling gave West Brom the warning signs before Hackney scored his second goal in as many games to grab all three points as the hosts slipped to a second straight defeat.
Referee David Webb’s first action was to pause proceedings in the seventh minute for assistant referee Rob Smith who received medical treatment before being taken off the field on a stretcher.
The away side came closest to opening the scoring after Azaz’s effort was parried by Palmer into the path of Riley McGree, only for him to sky it over the crossbar.
Boro were denied by Palmer again a couple of moments later – Ayling’s teasing cross found Latte Lath who directed his header towards the bottom corner which was palmed wide by the Baggies stopper.
West Brom had the majority of the ball through the half but took until the 40th minute to register their first attempt on target – Josh Maja picked up the ball inside the box and fed across to Jed Wallace who blasted straight at Seny Dieng.
A good opportunity fell for Wallace who curled an effort harmlessly wide, which summed up a first half which lacked any real sort of quality from either side.
The second half started in similar fashion to how the first finished with both sides failing to cause any sort of genuine threat in the final third.
There was a poignant moment in the 57th minute as both players and fans paused for a minute’s applause to remember West Brom fan Mark Townsend who died at Saturday’s game against Sheffield Wednesday.
Middlesbrough were first to come close to an opener on the hour mark but Ayling was unable to direct Azaz’s corner the right side of the post.
Liverpool loanee Doak appeared most dangerous for the visitors and he looked to break the deadlock after he burst down the right but Palmer was on hand again to deny his one-on-one attempt.
The away side looked most likely to get the opener and Latte Lath jumped highest from the resulting corner which sailed wide of the post.
It seemed only a matter of time before Boro got their noses in front and they did just that in the 73rd minute.
Some neat build-up play between Doak and McGree helped fashion a chance for Hackney, who placed beautifully beyond Palmer from range.
Boro could have sealed all three points in the 90th minute as Neto Borges picked out substitute Delano Burgzorg who sliced wide from close range but the damage was already done to move Middlesbrough up into the play-off zone.
Ange Postecoglou insisted his controversial cupped ear celebration to Tottenham fans in a 1-0 loss at Chelsea had been misinterpreted on another bad night for the Australian.Spurs slipped to a 16th defeat in the Premier League this season thanks to a 50th-minute header by Enzo Fernandez, but it only told half the story of a typically frenzied London derby.VAR was required to rule out a fine strike...
Chelsea climbed back into the Premier League’s top four as Enzo Fernandez’s header early in the second half earned a 1-0 derby win over Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.Enzo Maresca’s side were under pressure after limping into the international break playing football that had ceased to excite home fans, but they largely had the better of a disappointing Spurs team that failed to tak...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Sam Barrott last night Kiwior VS Vinicius Jr. & Mbappe Fun Fact Once upon a time they all used to called as next Messi. VAR referee placing bets during a live game in the Bulgaria league. Only Didier Drogba can do this… Tottenham always make Chelsea feel better Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, ori...
Manchester United will beat Arsenal to the signing of fearsome Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres this summer, according to a Liverpool legend.Gyokeres is one of the most in-demand centre-forwards in the world after registering an incredible 85 goals in 92 appearances for Sporting CP since joining the club in July 2023. The 26-year-old was prevented from leaving last summer by a massive €100mil...
The Canada international is poised to become a free agent this summer, leading to plenty of interest in him from top Premier League clubs.According to Empire of the Kop, it now looks like Liverpool are serious contenders to sign David ahead of the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea, Newcastle and West Ham.It's not often quality players like David are available for free, so it ...
Ollie Watkins was a transfer target for Arsenal back in JanuaryArsenal are gearing up for a busy summer transfer window with a new striker at the top of Mikel Arteta's wishlist. But there are seemingly no plans to rekindle their interest in Ollie Watkins after their failed January swoop for the Aston Villa star.Watkins, 29, emerged as a surprise target for the Gunners in the winter transfer window...
Man Utd hand Amir Ibragimov his first professional contract🚨✍🏻 Official: Amir Ibragimov has signed his first professional contract for Manchester United.He’s highly rated internally among talents for the future. pic.twitter.com/YrkLvNUeRd— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 3, 2025Real Madrid sign highly-rated Diego Aguado🚨⚪️ 18 year old talent Diego Aguado has signed new deal at ...
David Moyes believes James Tarkowski was lucky to avoid a red card for his reckless challenge on Alexis Mac Allister as Everton were beaten 1-0 by Liverpool on a controversial night at Anfield.Diogo Jota’s 57th-minute goal, which Moyes claimed should have been ruled out for offside, gave Liverpool a 100th derby win and moved them a step closer to the Premier League title, but both sides were...
Jack Grealish dedicated his goal to his late brother after scoring in Manchester City’s 2-0 win over relegation-threatened Leicester on Wednesday.The England international hit his first Premier League goal for 16 months, on his first start in the competition since last December, as City moved back into fourth with a comfortable success at the Etihad Stadium.It came on the 25th anniversary of...
David Moyes bemoaned an “offside” goal that gave Liverpool a 1-0 win over Everton – but admitted James Tarkowski was lucky to avoid an early red card on a controversial night at Anfield.Diogo Jota’s 57th-minute goal gave Liverpool a 100th derby win and moved them a step closer to the Premier League title, but both sides were left unhappy with decisions from referee Sam Barr...
- 1 Hot WAG flaunts 'astonishing' washboard abs in bikini
- 2 Danny Rohl hails Sheffield Wednesday resilience in draw at Cardiff
- 3 Alfie May double sends Birmingham step closer to Championship
- 4 Marcus Rashford scores first Premier League goal for Villa in win at Brighton
- 5 Ryan Lowe and Conor Hourihane felt team deserved more as Wigan and Barnsley draw
- 6 Mat Sadler hails Taylor Allen set-piece skills after Walsall snatch draw
- 7 Chris Davies says Alfie May’s goal drought never concerned him
- 8 Football fan 'eats' raw pig's head in ultimate insult
- 9 Marcus Rashford still looking to improve after firing Villa into FA Cup semis
- 10 Chelsea prepare €70m for Barcelona defender