Dike double beats Boro to end Baggies' bad run

25 Feb 2023
Jed Wallace (left) helped set up both Daryl Dike's quickfire first-half goalsJed Wallace (left) helped set up both Daryl Dike's quickfire first-half goals

Daryl Dike scored his first goals in over a month as West Bromwich Albion ended automatic Championship promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough's five-match winning run.

The USA international struck twice in quick succession to give a much-needed boost to Albion's own promotion hopes after a run of just one win in six league and cup matches.

John Swift and Jed Wallace combined to set up the eighth-minute opener for Dike, who nudged home from close range for his first goal in seven games.

Swift picked up the ball on the left and slipped in Wallace, who had held his run to avoid the offside flag, down the wing and centred for Dike to turn home.

That was his first goal in seven games - but his next took just another couple of minutes after Chuba Akpom lost possession and Swift and Wallace were again the supply line for Dike to repeat the dose.

This time it was Wallace who found Swift, who in turn laid it onto Dike, who needed two attempts to beat Zack Steffen.

Relive Saturday's EFL action as it happenedChampionship table

Dike, who hit his first double in English football since a brace at Luton for Barnsley on Easter Monday 2021, had a chance to complete a hat-trick after the break when he was put clean through against Steffen, but he was denied by his American compatriot's legs.

Albion's third Championship win of 2023 was also only their third clean sheet of the year - and importantly a first for young keeper Josh Griffiths on only his third appearance.

It lifts Carlos Corberan's side back up to 10th in the Championship table, level on points with Midlands rivals Coventry City - and within five of the play-off places.

Boro remain third, just two points ahead of fourth-placed Blackburn Rovers. But Michael Carrick's side are now seven adrift of second-placed Sheffield United - and 19 behind runaway leaders Burnley.

Who's next?

Albion are back in action next Friday night at Hull.

Middlesbrough's next game is the following day, at home to Boro old boy Paul Ince's Reading.

West Bromwich Albion head coach Carlos Corberan:

"Goals are key to win football matches, For the striker it's important to increase his confidence by scoring goals.

"But, for me, I value a lot Daryl Dike's defensive commitment, as much as his goals.

"Strikers, playmakers and wingers have responsibilities to score goals - and the team have responsibility to create chances."

Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick:

"We actually started well for six or seven minutes, looked good on the ball and composed. But we then give away two soft goals in quick succession and that's the difference.

"That puts you on the back foot because there is a long way to get back into the game. Even then, I believed we could get back in it, but they defended very well.

"I can't fault the boys for their efforts and attitude and the way they went about it. It was just one of those days that we have to learn from and be better next time."

Line-ups
West Brom

Formation 4-2-3-1

33Griffiths2Furlong4O'Shea15PietersSubstituted forAjayiat 87'minutes3Townsend35Yokuslu14MolumbySubstituted forGardner-Hickmanat 90+6'minutes17J Wallace19SwiftSubstituted forChalobahat 86'minutes11DianganaSubstituted forAlbrightonat 50'minutes12DikeSubstituted forThomas-Asanteat 78'minutesSubstitutes1Button6Ajayi20Reach21Thomas-Asante22Albrighton25Chalobah29Gardner-Hickman
Middlesbrough

Formation 4-2-3-1

1Steffen14SmithBooked at 44mins17McNairSubstituted forFryat 57'minutes26Lenihan3Giles16Howson30Hackney21ForssSubstituted forA Ramseyat 68'minutes29Akpom8McGreeSubstituted forJonesat 78'minutes10ArcherSubstituted forCrooksat 78'minutesSubstitutes2Jones6Fry7Barlaser11A Ramsey23Roberts25Crooks27Bola
Match Stats
Live Text

Match ends, West Bromwich Albion 2, Middlesbrough 0.

Second Half ends, West Bromwich Albion 2, Middlesbrough 0.

Foul by Matt Crooks (Middlesbrough).

Dara O'Shea (West Bromwich Albion) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Marc Albrighton.

Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Conor Townsend.

Attempt saved. Isaiah Jones (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Matt Crooks.

Attempt missed. Matt Crooks (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right.

Substitution, West Bromwich Albion. Taylor Gardner-Hickman replaces Jayson Molumby.

Foul by Dael Fry (Middlesbrough).

Brandon Thomas-Asante (West Bromwich Albion) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

Delay in match because of an injury Nathaniel Chalobah (West Bromwich Albion).

Substitution, West Bromwich Albion. Semi Ajayi replaces Erik Pieters because of an injury.

Substitution, West Bromwich Albion. Nathaniel Chalobah replaces John Swift.

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

Delay in match because of an injury Erik Pieters (West Bromwich Albion).

Foul by Hayden Hackney (Middlesbrough).

Brandon Thomas-Asante (West Bromwich Albion) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Attempt blocked. Isaiah Jones (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Aaron Ramsey.

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