7 Glover: Only had one save to make but a good clean sheet for the keeper.
7 Ayling: Solid showing defensively, especially considering it was his first start since the end of November. Used his experience to manage the game in the second half. Got forward when he could and delivered a couple of teasing first half crosses.
7 Fry: Composed and impressive throughout. West Brom don’t have a natural out and out striker fit at the minute and it told. Fry and van den Berg didn’t really give Grant much of a sniff.
7 Van den Berg: Got a crucial foot in to cut out a clear West Brom opportunity early in the second half when the Baggies were having their best spell of the game.
7 Borges: A timely good showing from Borges amid Boro’s interest in Ryan Giles. Had a hand in Hackney’s goal with run into West Brom half. Good cross to create a chance for Latte Lath soon after.
8 Morris: Boro’s best player. What a difference it made to have Morris back in the midfield. He protects the defence and allows those in front more freedom. Quality.
7 Hackney: Looked so much more comfortable with Morris alongside him. Rewarded for willingness to have a crack from distance for the crucial opener.
7 Doak: Contained for long spells by West Brom but always capable of finding a key moment, as he did for Boro’s second goal
7 Azaz: Tidy in the first half, when he impressively linked the midfield and attack and was involved in much of Boro’s good play.
6 Burgzorg: Linked up well with Borges down the left. No real moments of note in front of goal but effective again on the left.
7 Latte Lath: Lively in the first half, when he had a couple of chances. Teed up Doak for the second goal.
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SUBSTITUTES:
Barlaser (for Azaz, 82): N/A
Forss (for Doak, 90): N/A
Engel (for Burgzorg, 90) N/A
SUBS NOT USED: Dieng, Clarke, Gilbert, Hamilton, Palmer, McCabe
WEST BROM: Palmer 7; Furlong 6, Holgate 6, Heggem 6, Styles 6; Fellows 7, Molumby 6 (Swift, 66), Mowatt 6, Johnston 6 (Cole, 78); Diangana 6, Grant 5 (Wallace, 66)
SUBS NOT USED: Wildsmith, Frabotta, Taylor, Racic, Diakite, Bostock, Cole.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Aidan Morris. His return is hugely important for Boro, who look so much balanced and better with the USA international in the middle of the park.
