WEST BROM 0 MIDDLESBROUGH 0

MIDDLESBROUGH’S unbeaten start to the Premier League season continued as they played out a goalless draw with West Brom.

In a game of very few chances, the Teessiders defended resolutely to ensure they have now taken five points from their opening three league games.

With Ben Gibson and Daniel Ayala performing superbly at the heart of the back four, Aitor Karanka’s side restricted West Brom to a handful of openings that were easily repelled by Brad Guzan.

Boro’s best opening saw Ayala prod the ball at Ben Foster following a scramble from a corner, but the visitors will be satisfied with their efforts as they once again underlined their top-flight credentials.

Neither Albert Adomah nor Jordan Rhodes were included in Boro’s starting line-up amid mounting speculation over their future, and the visitors were forced to weather an early storm as West Brom targeted Emilio Nsue’s right-back slot.

Antonio Barragan produced an excellent sliding tackle to deny James McClean, before the former Sunderland midfielder tested Guzan as he latched on to Darren Fletcher’s through ball.

Salomon Rondon glanced an early header wide, but with Adam Clayton and Adam Forshaw gradually gaining control of the central area, Boro settled and became increasingly comfortable in the closing stages of the first half.

They didn’t really test Foster in the Baggies goal, although Gaston Ramirez might have done better when he flashed a shot wide of the target three minutes into the second half.

West Brom threatened again when Craig Dawson headed McClean’s corner narrowly wide shortly after the hour mark, and Boro finally recorded their first effort on target with 17 minutes left.

Antonio Barragan’s run across the face of the area set up Cristhian Stuani, but the Uruguayan directed his shot straight at Ben Foster.

The Teessiders finished the stronger of the two sides, but while Ayala prodded goalwards after a scramble from Stewart Downing’s late corner, Foster was able to make a routine save.

West Brom (4-5-1): Foster; Dawson, McAuley, Evans, Galloway; Phillips, Yacob, Fletcher, Field (Gardner 76), McClean (Leko 64 (Berahino 71)); Rondon.

Subs (not used): Rose (gk), Olsson, Wilson, Lambert.

Middlesbrough (4-2-3-1): Guzan; Nsue, Ayala, Gibson, Friend; Clayton, Forshaw; Stuani (Fischer 90), Ramirez (Nugent 84), Downing; Negredo.

Subs (not used): Konstantopoulos (gk), Espinosa, Reach, de Sart, Rhodes.