West Brom defender Gareth McAuley. (Photo : Getty Images)
Last season's lowly finisher West Bromwich Albion FC (1-1-0, 3 points) will look to bounce back from their sorry loss in the previous round as they face undefeated newly-promoted club Middlesbrough FC (1-0-1, 4 points) at the Hawthorns on Sunday, Aug. 28 as the 2016-2017 Premier League season continues.
West Brom dropped a disappointing 1-2 decision to inspired squad Everton FC also at the Hawthorns last Saturday for their first loss this season, as per BBC Sport.
Northern Iris defender Gareth McAuley broke the deadlock at the ninth minute of the contest to give head coach Tony Pulis' side an early lead, but it was canceled out with a first half injury time goal from Belgian midfielder Kevin Mirallas.
The second half began with the two teams struggling for ball possession once again. The Toffees got the better of it, though, grabbing the lead right at the hour mark of the match with a header from vice-captain Gareth Barry.
It proved to be the winning goal as both teams went scoreless for the remaining 30 plus minutes as the visitors took a way the three points or even a share of a point with the Baggies.
Meanwhile, Middlesbrough remained unbeaten in their English top flight campaign this season, following up their 1-1 opening day draw with Stoke City with a masterful 2-1 victory over Sunderland AFC on the road at the Stadium of Light last Sunday, SkySports reported.
Uruguayan striker Cristhian Stuani scored a brace to help lead head coach Aitor Karanka's team go past the Black Cats in the said match.
The Boro was ahead early with a long range opening goal from Stuani at the 13th minute. The visitors were on the back foot from the kick off as Sunderland was on the attack, but Stuani managed to pick up the ball from midfield, began his run, and struck the ball with a powerful shot from way outside that found the back of Vito Mannone's net.
Stuani then doubled the lead right at the stroke of halftime with a close range finish off a pass from striking partner Alvaro Negredo inside the box.
Sunderland defender Patrick van Aanholt netted a consolation at the 71st to put his team on the board.
The predicted result is a 2-1 win for West Brom.
West Brom starting lineup (4-4-2 formation): Foster; Dawson, McAuley, Olsson, Evans; Phillips, Fletcher, Yacob, Gardner; Berahino, Rondón
Middlesbrough starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Guzan; Nsue, Barragan, Gibson, Friend; Forshaw, Clayton; Stuani, Ramirez, Downing; Negredo
