MIDDLESBROUGH (4-3-3):

7 Guzan: Made decent saves from Ndong and Khazri either side of the interval, but was hardly extended

6 Chambers: Kept Khazri quiet when he was playing at right-back, and looked equally comfortable after moving infield

6 Ayala: Kept Defoe well shackled before departing at the start of the second half, but had some shaky moments passing the ball out

7 Gibson: Led Boro’s defensive line with a calm assurance, keeping tabs on Defoe and competing physically with Anichebe

6 Friend: A return to the kind of solid form he was displaying in the first half of the season – always looked secure

8 DE ROON: Made a number of effective breaks forward and displayed impeccable technique to score the winner

7 Clayton: Much better than he had been at Bournemouth as he snapped into tackles and held his defensive position well

6 Forshaw: Helped ensure Boro were generally in control of the central area and passed the ball around nicely

5 Stuani: Barely featured as an attacking force, and while his work-rate couldn’t be faulted, he needs to offer more

6 Negredo: Became less of a factor as the game wore on, but kept the Sunderland defence honest and retained the ball well

7 Downing: Made an impact in both defence and attack, tracking back diligently and trying to break forward when possible


Subs:

6 Fabio (for Ayala, 53): Slotted in effectively after coming on at the start of the second half

Gestede (for Negredo, 75)

(not used): Konstantopoulos (gk), Bernardo, Fischer, Traore, Bamford.


SUNDERLAND (4-3-3):

5 Pickford: Made a decent first-half save from Downing, but might well feel he should have done better with the goal

4 Jones: Was all over the place at times, and should have done much better when de Roon broke clear to score

5 Denayer: Struggled in the early stages, and while he improved later on, the game was already up by then

4 O’Shea: Another shaky display that saw de Roon cruise past him for Boro’s winner and featured a number of other mistakes

4 Manquillo: Hasn’t looked especially comfortable in any of the positions he has filled this season – and certainly doesn’t convince at left-back

4 Gibson: Poor throughout as he allowed Boro’s midfielders to dominate the central area – offered nothing in attack

5 Cattermole: Never stopped trying, but very little went in his favour as he returned to his former Teesside home

6 NDONG: The pick of Sunderland’s players as he tried to drive his side forward in the first half – tested Guzan with a decent effort

5 Khazri: Forced Guzan into a save with a second-half free-kick, but couldn’t build up a head of steam at any stage

5 Defoe: Didn’t have much of a chance to make an impact, but wasted a decent position midway through the second half

5 Anichebe: His muscular approach threatened to cause a problem, but he wasn’t able to fashion a meaningful chance


Subs:

4 Borini (for Gibson, 65): Couldn’t change the shape of the game and didn’t look like troubling the Boro back four

Januzaj (for Khazri, 77)

Rodwell (for Cattermole,84)

(not used): Mannone (gk), Lescott, Kone, Pienaar.


Man Of The Match: MARTEN DE ROON – The Dutchman provided the one moment of genuine quality when he brought down Clayton’s through ball and slotted home the winner.