Delano Burgzorg struck in the 90th minute to seal a 3-2 win for Middlesbrough over West Brom, spoiling Eric Ramsay's first match in charge. The late goal kept Boro within two points of Championship leaders
Coventry City and extended their perfect record in league games when scoring first to 13 victories.
West Brom appeared set for a strong start under Ramsay after battling back from 2-0 down through Isaac Price and Jed Wallace. Their recovery seemed complete with 10 minutes left, yet Middlesbrough punished one final lapse, leaving the Hawthorns crowd stunned after a contest that swung repeatedly in momentum.
The hosts began sharply, creating several early chances. Aune Heggebo broke through in the third minute but shot straight at Sol Brynn from close range. Price then fired off target, while Chris Mepham also failed to hit the goal, as West Brom pressed Middlesbrough deep in the opening exchanges.
Middlesbrough steadied after that early pressure and went ahead before half-time. Alex Gilbert's strike came back off the post and rebounded in via Charlie Taylor for an own goal. The visitors then tightened their shape, slowing West Brom's tempo and limiting clear openings for the remainder of the first period.
Boro doubled the lead just before the hour mark when Sam Silvera finished calmly into the bottom-left corner. That goal left West Brom facing a steep challenge, yet the home side responded with better movement and sharper passing, forcing Middlesbrough to defend deeper around Brynn's penalty area.
The comeback began with a training-ground free-kick on the edge of the box, worked neatly for Price to drive beyond Brynn. West Brom pushed on and levelled after 80 minutes, when Wallace converted first time from close range, capping a spell where the hosts looked physically stronger and more direct.
Parity did not last. In the final minute of normal time, Silvera released Burgzorg through the middle. Burgzorg advanced into space and drove a low shot across the goalkeeper into the far corner, securing all three points and turning an apparent collapse into another winning position protected by Middlesbrough.
Wow. pic.twitter.com/vhfmpRIHBtMiddlesbrough FC (@Boro) January 16, 2026
The scoreline reflected a tight contest across the full 90 minutes. West Brom produced 1.06 expected goals from 12 attempts, slightly higher than Middlesbrough's 0.93 from nine shots. Both teams created periods of pressure, though Boro showed more ruthlessness in key moments, particularly with the late Burgzorg winner.
| Statistic | West Brom | Middlesbrough |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 2 | 3 |
| Shots | 12 | 9 |
| Expected goals (xG) | 1.06 | 0.93 |
Aidan Morris produced a standout display in the Middlesbrough midfield. Morris completed 19 entries into the final third, had five touches inside the box, made 109 touches overall and attempted 85 passes. Morris also won all six duels, underlining how effectively Middlesbrough controlled central areas despite West Brom's spirited response.
This dramatic victory maintained Middlesbrough's flawless Championship record when scoring first, now 13 wins from 13 such matches. West Brom, meanwhile, showed attacking promise and character under Ramsay but left empty-handed, reflecting both fine margins on the night and Boro's composure in decisive situations.
