Report: West Bromwich Albion 3-0 Middlesbrough

Tony Mowbray handed a debut to loan striker Marc-Antoine Fortune as Roman Bednar missed out through suspension. James Morrison and Jonas Olsson were also absent through injury, meaning that Borja Valero and Chris Brunt earned recalls to the starting line up. Teixeira and Kim dropped to the bench from the midweek victory at Peterborough, and Hoefkens was given another start in the Premiership.

The game could not have got off to a better start, as Chris Brunt fired the Baggies to a 4th minute lead.  Carl Hoefkens fired in a diagonal ball which Boro right back McMahon could only flick on into the path of Brunt.  From the edge of the area Brunt pulled the trigger and his effort took a deflection of McMahon past Ross Turnbull between the Boro sticks.

Two minutes later Boro should have grabbed an equaliser.  Stewart Downing's free kick hung in the air and looked destined for the target.  But Scott Carson did well to push the effort onto the post before crashing himself into the back post.  Alves headed the loose ball onto the post whilst Carson was stranded, before the danger was eventually cleared.

Fortune was given an early chance to double Albion's lead, Turnbull was stranded as he came out to collect Hoefkens' looping ball, and the 27 year old striker headed the ball wide rather than into the empty net.

Alves was gifted a chance for Boro in the 24th minute, unmarked as he latched onto Wheater's assist from Taylor's free kick.  But he vollied wide from just 10 yards.  The Baggies squandered a chance next when Donk played Simpson clear of the Boro defence.  The youngster paced down on Turnbull, but the experienced keeper read his move well and saved at his feet before the danger was cleared by the Boro defence.

Middlesbrough were forced into an early change as Riggot limped off the field.  He was replaced by Robert Huth.  But Albion were soon on the offensive again, and Turnbull did well to save a Fortune effort from a tight angle.

In the 37th minute Carson saved the Baggies, stopping a 15 yard Alves effort after he had made easy work of skipping past both Donk and Barnett.  Barnett was next to leave the field injured and he was replaced by Pele, making his first Premiership appearance for the Baggies.

Half Time: West Bromwich Albion 1-0 Middlesbrough

Two minutes into the second half Albion had a great chance to take a second goal.  A clearance from Brunt found its way to Fortune, who did well to control the ball before disposing of Digard to release Jay Simpson.  Simpson turned Huth before releasing a 15 yard effort which had Turnbull beat, but curled agonisingly away from the target.

In the 54th minute however Albion did double their lead.  Clever play between Fortune and Koren resulted in the latter putting in an effort which deflected off the heels of Fortune.  It turned out to be an important deflection as the ball dribbled past the wrong footed Turnbull.

Mido came on for Boro as Alves wasted another chance for Boro.  Tuncay had provided the cross and the striker headed downwards but wide from close range.

Turnbull made an excellent point blank save to deny Fortune a first Albion goal from Brunt's cross, and just seconds later Digard was shown a straight red card for a two footed challenge on Borja Valero.

Five minutes later Albion grabbed their third goal.  Brunt played Koren through to slot home coolly past Turnbull.  With time winding down and the Baggies flying high they continued to create chances.  Sub Luke Moore had an effort cleared off the line, and just moments later Moore again was unlucky to not grab a goal as Turnbull made a last ditch save.

Full Time: West Bromwich Albion 3-0 Middlesbrough

Brunt (4)

Koren (54, 67)

Attendance: 25,557