Page last updated at 16:45 GMT, Saturday, 19 September 2009 17:45 UK E-mail this to a friend Printable version

Chris Brunt scored twice as West Brom took full advantage of a dismal Middlesbrough display in this top-of-the-table Championship clash.

Brunt opened the scoring with a deflected free-kick before lobbing the stranded Danny Coyne from 50 yards.

Youssouf Mulumbu headed home a Graham Dorrans cross and Roman Bednar made it 4-0 from the edge of the box.

Jerome Thomas scored to complete a miserable day for Boro, who failed to trouble Baggies keeper Scott Carson.

Boro came into the game with an unbeaten home record, but on the basis of this performance Gareth Southgate has his work cut out if he is to take his team back to the Premier League at the first attempt.

West Brom looked the better side from the outset, and their supremacy was rewarded when Brunt's free-kick took a wicked deflection which left Boro keeper Coyne with no chance.

Coyne was at fault for the second goal, clearing the ball straight into the path of former Boro trainee Brunt, who looped the ball over him superbly from the halfway line.

606: DEBATE No real positives to take from the game unfortunately. Just gotta keep our heads up and hope for a decent result against Coventry juninho9

Moments later, the visitors suffered a blow when top-scorer Jeremie Aliadiere was forced off injured. He was replaced by Caleb Folan, who struggled to make an impression on his Boro debut.

West Brom made it 3-0 three minutes before half-time. Dorrans found space on the right of the penalty area and crossed for Mulumbu, who planted a header over Coyne.

New signing Sean St Ledger had Boro's best chance in the second half, but his header from Adam Johnson's free-kick was straight at Carson.

Sharp finishes from Bednar and Thomas in the final 10 minutes merely compounded Boro's humiliation.

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Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate:
"I've learnt a lot about some people today and it is better to know that now than later.

"We didn't have the energy to get back into the game after their opening goal and we made some poor decisions along the way.

As the game wore on you could see the confidence drain away. We got exactly what we deserved.

"Credit to West Brom because they are a good side and they deserved to win the game. They have hit us with a sledgehammer. It has been a wake-up call."

West Brom boss Roberto di Matteo:
"We have put a statement out for the rest of the league. It was certainly one of our best performances so far and obviously we will take confidence from the performance.

"We played well and we sustained it over the full 90 minutes. We have a very good group of players.

"I have some sympathy for Middlesbrough. They are a good team and I'm sure they'll bounce back. They were just unfortunate to play us today."