Goals:

1-0: Tavernier (6, moved ahead of Jones to finish off a lovely move at the near post from Braithwaite’s cross)

Bookings: Jones (17, foul); Cattermole (44, foul); McGeady (60, foul); Christie (63, foul); Wilson (75, foul)

Sending-off: None

Referee: Jeremy Simpson (Lancashire) – could have sent Wilson off but otherwise did well to keep things moving. 7

Attendance: 29,277

Entertainment: **

Boro Sund

Shots on 4 3

Shots off 2 7

Corners 1 5

Offsides 2 1

Fouls 13 17

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-1-1):

7 Randolph: Despite being caused problems by the sun he still managed to make a number of first half saves;

7 Christie: Defended strongly and regularly got himself involved with the attacks

6 Ayala: Not as effective as he was at Hull but still did what he needed to

7 Gibson: The Teessider looked determined to deliver against his hometown club’s neighbours

6 Friend: Given a tricky start by Ndong but grew into the game in a defensive sense

7 Downing: Excellent contribution for the winning goal and otherwise pretty influential too

6 Leadbitter: Will not enjoy seeing his former club at the foot of the Championship but still helped deliver the win

7 Howson: Kept the ball moving in the middle and helped protect the back four like he was supposed to;

7 Tavernier: Took his goal like a seasoned pro after darting in front of his man to convert the cross

8 BRAITHWAITE: Looking the part whenever he plays and this was no different with his excellent movement;

6 Assombalonga: Led the line and worked hard enough without testing the keeper himself

Subs:

Johnson (for Tavernier 64): A couple of nice runs and almost set up a second. 5

Fletcher (for Assombalonga 81)

Forshaw (for Leadbitter 85)

(not used): Konstantopoulos (gk), Fabio, Shotton, Traore.

SUNDERLAND (4-2-3-1):

7 Ruiter: Made a few decent saves to ensure Boro didn’t score more goals;

4 Jones: Summed things up by needing to go off after a tackle from Darron Gibson and left on crutches

6 O’Shea: Things must seem a million miles away from the days of Champions League with Manchester United

5 Wilson: Had his good moments but lucky to stay on the pitch after being turned by Braithwaite

6 Oviedo: Found Downing a difficult proposition down the left flank;

6 Cattermole: Started really brightly but faded in the middle as the game wore on

6 Gibson: Like so often this season, he started promisingly but faded;

7 Ndong: A lively presence and caused problems down the right hand side for Friend

5 McNair: Did well to get through 77 minutes on his first start in almost a year

7 McGeady: Sunderland’s most dangerous player but unable to make the most of his good work;

6 Grabban: Should have put Sunderland ahead early on but was denied by Randolph

Subs:

Matthews (for Jones 27): Effective down the line after replacing Jones. 6

Honeyman (for Ndong 55): Tried a couple of things. 5

Williams (for McNair 77)

(not used): Steele (gk), Rodwell, McManaman, Gooch.

MAN OF THE MATCH: MARTIN Braithwaite – the Danish forward is quickly developing into one of the Championship’s best players and he teed up Tavernier’s winner.