Ayala sends Boro to top of the table

London: Daniel Ayala’s stoppage- time goal saw unbeaten Middlesbrough to a 1- 0 win at home to West Bromwich Albion that saw the northeast side go top of English Championship.

Boro were on top for most of the match but had to wait until the 91st minute for a goal on Friday when Spanish centrehalf Ayala scored from close range.

Tony Pulis’ men squandered numerous opportunities against the manager’s former club with Martin Braithwaite shooting over the top from inside the six-yard box.

Ryan Shotton headed over the crossbar and Stewart Downing had a strong shot well saved by Sam Johnstone.

Boro have now won four league games in a row after drawing their opening Championship match of the season, having suffered the disappointment of losing in the semi-finals of last term’s playoffs.

West Brom, relegated from the Premier League last season, were far removed from the attacking side who beat Norwich 4-3 and hammered Queens Park Rangers 7-1 last week.

The closest they came to a goal on Friday was when Boro’s Aden Flint struck an attempted clearance against the underside of his own crossbar.

The Baggies also saw Dwight Gayle squander a two-on-one opportunity early in the second half.

Defeat saw West Brom remain seventh after two wins from five league matches.