Ryan Mason pinpoints where West Brom went wrong vs Middlesbrough as ‘moments’ prove costly

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West Brom left it too late to start a resurgence at the Riverside, and their defensive frailties made the difference.

Middlesbrough beat West Brom 2-1 on Friday evening to continue their unbeaten start to the Championship season.

West Brom’s winless run at Middlesbrough continued courtesy of goals from David Strelec, who was withdrawn at half-time for Kaly Sene, with his replacement doubling Boro’s lead in the second-half.

Ryan Mason ought to have started Mikey Johnston, as his cameo off the bench provided Aune Heggebo with some much-needed quality service to half the deficit in the final few minutes.

Unfortunately for the Baggies, Heggebo’s header proved inconsequential, and Mason lamented where West Brom went wrong after full-time.

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Ryan Mason admits ‘moments’ cost West Brom at Middlesbrough

Strelec scored on his first Middlesbrough start after profiting from a long throw-in by George Edmundson that was flicked on by Luke Ayling into the Slovakian’s path.

He stole a march on his opposite number Heggebo to break the deadlock, before substitute Sene cemented Boro’s lead after rounding off a stunning team move.

Johnston provided much-needed attacking impetus from the bench with the assist for Heggebo’s late header, but the Baggies could not find an avenue back into the affair to dodge two defeats on the bounce.

After the game, Mason outlined that ‘moments’ were costly for West Brom against table-topping Middlesbrough.

Mason told West Brom’s media: “I think the second goal tonight was a bit of a killer, but so was the first one to be honest. To concede from a throw-in is really disappointing. 

“We understood it was going to be a tight game and those smaller details can dictate how the result goes.

“I feel like we had a lot of control in the second half, but they scored a good goal at an important time. There were moments that didn’t quite fall for us. The result hurts.

“Football is about moments and taking opportunities when they come. They took theirs. They didn’t create the first, it came from a set-play and sometimes those things can happen.

“The second was a well-worked move, but it’s disappointing from our side. It’s a tough route back from there.

“It didn’t quite fall for us. It’s a shame the goal came so late because we didn’t have time to affect their penalty area.

“We know that we were coming here and they were in a good moment, but, if anything, it’s just re-enforced my belief in this squad and in this team that we can perform and we can compete.

“My feeling during the game was that it was going to be a moment that dictated how the game went.

“The last two results haven’t been good and we can’t let them affect us too much. We have another game next week and we have to try and respond as quickly as possible.”

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Ryan Mason must revert to previous formation for Leicester City

Mason opted for a more defensive set-up against league-leading Middlesbrough on Friday evening, with Johnston dropped to the bench and the central spaces packed with more bodies.

However, this negated the attacking intent of West Brom and left Isaac Price struggling for space to operate against Boro’s backline.

Ayling impressed for Middlesbrough against West Brom, but the Baggies’ shape left Heggebo isolated and their midfield spark stunted.

Returning to the attacking quartet of Heggebo, Price, Johnston and Wallace all starting from minute one should get the Baggies back to their attacking best, with a difficult test at home to Leicester City next up for Mason’s side.