Leaders Middlesbrough beat West Brom to maintain unbeaten Championship record

David Strelec and Kaly Sene scored their first goals for Middlesbrough in a 2-1 win over West Brom 2-1 which maintains the Sky Bet Championship leaders’ unbeaten record.

Deadline day arrival Strelec opened the scoring after stabbing home from close-range and was replaced at half-time by fellow summer signing Sene, who doubled the lead.

Aune Heggebo pulled one back for West Brom in the 90th minute but Boro held on, ensuring the Baggies slip to only their second defeat of the season.

West Brom had a chance only seconds from kick-off when Isaac Price’s strike from distance smashed into a crowded box and Nat Phillips retrieved the loose ball before firing towards goal, where Sol Brynn made the save.

The hosts then had an opportunity to go ahead when a quick break saw Strelec play a cool flicked pass into Sverre Nypan and the Manchester City loanee’s low shot rolled past the upright.

Boro looked dangerous on the attack and had another excellent opportunity when Tommy Conway cut in from the left but was denied at the near post by Josh Griffiths.

They eventually took the lead in the 26th minute when George Edmundson’s long throw was flicked on by the head of skipper Luke Ayling for Strelec to stab home from just inside the six-yard box.

West Brom sought a response and Callum Styles sent a teasing cross into the box which was cleared, before Jed Wallace had a powerful effort blocked.

Boro were forced into an early change before the break as Edmundson came off with his eye swollen from a challenge and Sam Silvera was brought on.

West Brom made a strong start to the second half as Price’s header from Wallace’s curling cross flashed wide of the upright and the Baggies skipper had an opportunity himself shortly afterwards, sending a low effort just past the post.

They continued to apply pressure on the home backline, winning the ball from a Boro goal-kick before Alex Mowatt fired over the bar.

Nypan had a powerful strike from distance brilliantly pushed away by Griffiths and, at the opposite end, Brynn made two good saves to punch away an inswinging corner before stopping Ousmane Diakite’s strike.

Despite a dominant period from the visitors, Sene doubled Boro’s lead in the 61st minute after rolling the ball into the bottom left corner from Hayden Hackney’s cool backheeled pass.

West Brom struggled to regain their momentum as Jayson Molumby had a tame backheeled effort stopped and Johnston’s powerful shot was blocked by the Boro defence.

They eventually pulled one back in the 90th minute when Heggebo scored his first Championship goal with a powerful header that sailed over Brynn, but Boro withstood the threat of a potential comeback to secure their fifth league win of the season.