WEST BROM (4-5-1):
Foster 6; Dawson 7, McAuley 7, EVANS 8, Galloway 7; Phillips 6, Yacob 5, Fletcher 5, Field 5 (Gardner 76), McClean 6 (Leko 64, 5 (Berahino 71)); Rondon 5.
Subs (not used): Rose (gk), Olsson, Wilson, Lambert.
MIDDLESBROUGH (4-2-3-1):
7 Guzan: Didn’t have a lot to do, but made an important early save from McClean and was always well positioned
5 Nsue: Recovered defensively after a difficult start against McClean, but wasted a succession of good crossing positions
8 Ayala: Made a huge contribution in his first league start of the season and dominated aerially throughout
8 Gibson: Continued his superb start to the campaign with another commanding display – dominated the imposing Rondon
7 Barragan: Was signed as a right-back, but proved just as good at left-back as he was at centre-half – already looks a steal at £2.5m
7 Clayton: Another impressive display from the midfielder, who has taken to life in the top-flight like a duck to water
8 FORSHAW: There was a sharp intake of breath when de Roon was injured on the opening day, but Forshaw has been a revelation since replacing him
6 Stuani: Wasn’t able to reproduce his goalscoring feats from Wearside, but at least tested Foster with a decent second-half strike
6 Ramirez: Couldn’t really get himself into the game in the ‘number ten’ role, but didn’t stop snapping away at his opponents
7 Downing: Had clearly been instructed to drop deep and performed his role superbly as he rotated possession and closed players down
6 Negredo: Never stopped battling but rarely looked like getting the better of Evans and didn’t really have a goalscoring chance
Subs:
Nugent (for Ramirez, 84)
Fischer (for Stuani, 90)
(not used): Konstantopoulos (gk), Espinosa, Reach, de Sart, Rhodes.
Man Of The Match: ADAM FORSHAW – The midfielder has been the biggest revelation of Boro’s season so far – hard-working, committed and reliable when in possession of the ball.
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