Sunday 28 August 2016 18:39, UK
Middlesbrough continued their unbeaten start to the Premier League season after a 0-0 draw at West Brom in a game where chances were few and far between.
The hosts had the better of the first half, with James McClean denied by a fine save from Brad Guzan, before Salomon Rondon went close to connecting with a dangerous cross.
Saido Berahino made an appearance in the second half, after Tony Pulis revealed he benched the 23-year-old to "clear his mind" as speculation over his future continues, but he couldn't inspire his side to victory.
The result sees Boro climb into the top six, while the Baggies are up to 10th.
Tony Pulis made three changes to the hosts' line-up, with 18-year-old Sam Field making his first-team bow for the Baggies, and immediately he looked at home in the heart of midfield.
McClean was the main threat for the Baggies in the opening period, and had the chance of the half on 12 minutes, with his touch letting him down at the last, allowing Guzan to race from his line to smother in the Boro goal.
Guzan again had to get down to smartly gather a low drive from another Baggies debutant, Brendan Galloway, before Rondon failed to get on the end of a fizzed cross as the half drew to a close. Replays showed the Baggies hitman may have had his shirt pulled as he stooped to connect.
After the break Gaston Ramirez sliced wide from the angle after being played in by Emilio Nsue as Boro grew into the match.
Down the other end, Craig Dawson went close with a header from a corner, which flashed past the post, with Guzan beaten.
Berahino's appearance failed to inject any enthusiasm into the match, with fans voicing their discontent at the sight of the controversial hitman.
The visitors had their first effort on target in the 74th minute, but Cristhian Stuani's tame effort was easily gathered by a previously redundant Ben Foster in the home goal.
Stewart Downing fizzed an effort wide late on, but a goal didn't materialise on a cagey afternoon in the Midlands.
Player ratings
West Brom: Foster (6), Dawson (6), McAuley (6), Evans (6), Galloway (6), Phillips (5), Yacob (5), Fletcher (5), Field (7), McClean (7), Rondon (5).
Subs used: Gardner (5), Berahino (5), Leko (5).
Middlesbrough: Guzan (6), Nsue (5), Gibson (6), Ayala (6), Barragan (5), Clayton (5), Forshaw (7), Stuani (6), Ramirez (6), Downing (5), Negredo (4).
Subs used: Fischer (N/A), Nugent (5).
Man of the match: Adam Forshaw
