Offside controversy? Should Boro goal have been disallowed against West Brom?

Middlesbrough’s 2-1 win over West Bromwich Albion at the Riverside on Saturday has been overshadowed by a late controversy: should Will Lankshear’s 87th-minute goal have been ruled out for offside?

What happened in the 87th minute?

The incident hinged on a free-kick delivered from the left flank. Lankshear, positioned near the back post, appeared to be in an offside position when the ball was played. The assistant referee raised his flag, indicating offside, but the on-field referee allowed play to continue. The goal stood, and Boro held on for victory.

Television replays and still images suggest Lankshear was marginally ahead of the last defender when the ball was struck. The tightness of the call means marginal interpretations could swing either way, raising questions about consistency in tight offside decisions.

Why this matters now

With Middlesbrough chasing promotion from the Championship, every point is critical. A disallowed goal would have left the score level at 1-1 and potentially altered the late dynamics of the game. Instead, the three points preserved their momentum in a crowded race where every result influences the standings.

For West Brom, the controversy adds to a growing list of tight decisions going against them this season. While the Baggies remain in contention, such moments fuel narratives about refereeing variance and its impact on competitive balance.

What comes next

The Premier League and EFL have repeatedly emphasized consistency in VAR and assistant referee decisions. This incident will likely be reviewed internally to assess whether the flag should have stood. However, given the narrow margin, overturning the goal would require definitive evidence that Lankshear was clearly ahead of play—something not guaranteed by current footage.

Middlesbrough will now turn their attention to their next fixture, while West Brom must regroup after a result that could have been different. The controversy may fade, but it underscores the ongoing debate about precision in officiating.

One thing is certain: in tight promotion races, every marginal call can carry disproportionate weight—and this one did.