West Bromwich Albion 4-2 Middlesbrough: Boro's winless start continues
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John Swift scored his second goal of the season, having netted seven times in his debut campaign with the Baggies in 2022-23
Middlesbrough's winless start to the Championship campaign continued as last season's play-off semi-finalists were beaten by West Bromwich Albion.
The Baggies took the lead midway through the first half when Cedric Kipre chested down and powered in a rising half-volley.
John Swift then doubled the lead six minutes later with his second goal in successive home games, a powerful shot into the top corner after driving forward from midfield.
Emmanuel Latte Lath headed in Sammy Silvera's cross to immediately pull one back with his first goal for Boro.
But Brandon Thomas-Asante restored Albion's two-goal lead early in the second half after latching on to a backpass to round goalkeeper Seny Dieng before sliding the ball in.
Thomas-Asante netted for the third successive game when he capitalised on an error by Lukas Engel.
Middlesbrough then looked done for when they had Tommy Smith sent off in the 51st minute for a second bookable offence. Having been booked for a foul on Jed Wallace in the first half, he received his marching orders for a tug-back on the lively Matt Phillips.
Yet they still had hope of a point when Boro substitute Isaiah Jones rattled the inside of a post before a cross hit the arm of Darnell Furlong to allow Marcus Forss to pull one back from the penalty spot with five minutes left.
But Alex Mowatt teed up fellow substitute Jeremy Sarmiento to secure all three points for Carlos Corberan's men when the Ecuador international curled into the far corner in the first minute of added time.
It is now nine games without a win for Michael Carrick's Middlesbrough, including their two legs against Coventry City in the play-offs in May.
The Teessiders look a shadow of the side that finished fourth last season, with Chuba Akpom - the second tier's top scorer in 2022-23 with 28 goals - having been sold to Dutch giants Ajax earlier this month.
Albion extended their unbeaten run to three Championship games following their opening day defeat at Blackburn.
They have now won 12 of their 17 league games at The Hawthorns since Corberan was appointed as boss last October.
West Bromwich Albion boss Carlos Corberan told BBC Radio WM:
"I am very happy with the result and with a lot of moments of the game.
"Of course there are things we need to keep improving but it is always better to make the team grow with a positive result.
"We were using the ball well to dominate the game but without creating enough chances. Sometimes when you have a lot of the ball you start to relax in defence.
"When they scored a second goal we changed and were more aggressive."
Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick told BBC Tees:
"I'm actually really encouraged by a lot of what I'm seeing, what the boys are doing and what we're capable of.
"I'm not hiding from the fact that we haven't had the points and we've lost too many games already.
"It's very early but if I was seeing different things in the performance, I'd be worried. I've got full belief in the team.
"The glass is half full for me. I am really looking forward to what's ahead."