West Brom hold Middlesbrough to yet another draw

Middlesbrough remain in grave danger towards the bottom of the Premier League table after being held to an entertaining 1-1 draw with West Brom at the Riverside Stadium.

Now winless in six games, Boro were denied the three points on this occasion by a well organised Baggies side and Aitor Karanka’s chargers are now only two points above the drop zone.

Former Boro-boy James Morrison gave the visitors the perfect start when his splendid half-volley broke the deadlock after only six minutes.

The hosts were level on 17 minutes however when Gareth McAuley felled Alvaro Negredo inside the area and the Spaniard coolly sent Ben Foster the wrong-way from the subsequent penalty.

Boro should have had a second penalty when Cristhian Stuani was brought down by Allan Nyom directly in front of Stuart Attwell shortly after but the referee somewhat controversially waved play on.

Wideman Adama Traore epitomised Boro’s impressive first-half performance but the young winger was unable to influence the second period and subsequently Boro failed to put their opponents under any real pressure after the restart.

In fact, West Brom fashioned the best opportunities and they came agonisingly close when Nacer Chadli and Saloman Rondon struck the post twice within seconds of each other.

Boro’s toothless attack. Aitor Karanka’s side has mastered how to defend in the Premier League but their lack of proficiency in front of goal remains a real concern. Once again Middlesbrough failed to score from open play and because they’ve barely strengthened in the January transfer window it is likely their struggles in attack will continue – and ultimately prove fatal come May.

Ben Foster (West Brom) – Made a world-class save to keep his side level during a spell of Boro pressure in the first-half.

Middlesbrough: Valdes 7, Barragan 6, Gibson 7, Bernardo 6, Fabio 7, Clayton 6, De Roon 6, Forshaw 7, Stuani 6, Traore 7, Negredo 7. Subs: Bamford 6, Gestede 6.

West Bromwich Albion: Foster 8, Nyom 6, Dawson 6, McAuley 6, Brunt 8, Yacob 7, Fletcher 7, Chadli 6, Morrison 7, Phillips 6, Rondon 6. Subs: Robson-Kanu 6, McClean 6.

6’ - GOAL! West Brom are ahead and it's old Boro boy James Morrison who gives the Tony Pulis' side the lead! The hosts fail to clear from a free-kick and Morrison is allowed too much time to pick his spot and hammers it into the corner of the net. What a start!

16’ - PENALTY TO BORO! McAuley goes through Negredo inside the area and Stuart Attwell points to the spot! Negredo to take and this is a fantastic opportunity for the hosts...

17’ - GOAL! Negredo steps up confidently... and sends Foster the wrong way! Boro are level.

21’ - PENALTY SHOUT! Stuani is brought down inside the area by Nyom right in front of the referee... but Stuart Attwel says play on! That was more of a foul than the first penalty...

39’ - CHANCE! The space opens up for Traore on the channel and the winger sends a terrific ball across the face of goal that Nyom almost puts into his own net only for a wonderful save from Foster!

55’ - WEST BROM HIT THE POST, TWICE! First of all Chadli strikes the woodwork with a header at the near post, the rebound falls kindly to Rondon inside the area but the striker is denied by the other post with his curled shot! What a let off for Boro.

James Morrison has netted his fourth Premier League goal of the season, his best return in the competition since 2012/13 (5).