West Brom's Nat Phillips with Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium in the background

Nat Phillips, Riverside StadiumTung Manh Phan, Breaking Media

West Brom player ratings vs Middlesbrough: Nat Phillips immense but teammate gets reality check

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior sports journalist with editorial experience at Football League World. FOCUS Statistical analysis and long-form opinion across the Breaking Media network. THE INSIGHT James utilises data and a network of club contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis. He provides the statistical depth and editorial judgment behind the stories to ensure fans get the full picture.

Published on:

29 Aug 2026, 1:24 pm

West Bromwich Albion fell to to a 3-1 defeat to Middlesbrough on Saturday.

James Morrison named an unchanged team from West Brom's previous Championship win over Burnley.

Aune Heggebo made his return from suspension, but he wasn't afforded a place in the starting XI, instead taking his spot on the bench.

It was a first half of limited chances for both sides, but one that West Brom perhaps just had the better of.

Unfortunately, Boro took control of the game with three second-half goals, ending the Baggies' unbeaten league start to the 2026-27 season.

West Brom News rates every Albion player who featured against Middlesbrough out of 10.

Nat Phillips didn't deserve to be on the losing side

For as sloppy as West Brom were going forward, Albion still looked assured enough at the back despite shipping three goals, all of which they can feel unlucky over.

Middlesbrough's £20million striker Will Lankshear had scored four in his opening four competitive appearances for Boro ahead of Saturday's game, and he did make that six in five.

As a result, Morrison will have no doubt circled the ex-Tottenham talent as the main danger to a clean sheet.

Nat Phillips clearly took that on board, as the 29-year-old kept him largely in check at the Riverside Stadium.

Will Lankshear's FINE start to the season continues for Middlesbrough 😮‍💨

There's a hint of an offside, but the goal is awarded. Deadlock = broken 🙌🏻 pic.twitter.com/OfU9llcG1J
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) August 29, 2026

Albion can feel very hard done by for Lankshear's opening goal, as he was clearly stood in an offside position following Morgan Whittaker's effort.

It rebounded off the post straight into the Boro number seven's path, from which he was able to nod home into an empty Baggies net.

Despite that, every duel that was there to be won Phillips did so, with Lankshear only putting one effort on goal in the entire first half which was blocked.

Per FotMob, he had the most defensive contributions of any player on the pitch on Saturday with 11.

Meanwhile, he also enjoyed a 98 per cent pass accuracy, won three of his four ground duels, conceded zero fouls and played three passes into the final third.

He also won two tackles, made two blocks, four clearances, three interceptions and three recoveries.

After being benched in the Carabao Cup against Newcastle, Phillips looked like a player re-energised and determined to nail down his starting spot once again this season.

So, Phillips can definitely hold his head high from this one, as he'd marked Lankshear out of the game in the opening 45 minutes.

The Boro striker grew into it after the break and looked more dangerous, but he'll be coming away from this afternoon knowing he was in a very tough battle with Phillips.

One West Brom player who will be very frustrated with his performance on Teesside, however, was Felix Horn Myhre.

Ex-PGMOL chief blames Felix Horn Myhre for West Brom's failure to get foul before Burnley goal

Horn Myhre struggled to get in the game for West Brom

Having joined earlier this summer, Horn Myhre has registered some mixed performances for West Brom.

The Norwegian got off to a strong start with some strong first couple of performances, but he was poor against Burnley.

After being afforded just a 20-minute cameo against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup, Morrison brought him back into the starting lineup against Middlesbrough.

Operating in an attacking midfield role, the 27-year-old just wasn't able to impact the game before being withdrawn on 77 minutes.

Per FotMob, he created zero chances, took one shot which was off target, was unsuccessful with his lone dribble attempt and was dispossessed once.

He also made zero tackles, won only two of his seven ground duels and none of his two aerial duels, whilst also committing one foul.

The midfielder was lucky to escape a nasty injury from a first-half tackle made by Boro midfielder Aidan Morris too.

All in all, it was perhaps Myhre's worst performance of his early Albion career, and one that could threaten his place in the team for Charlton.