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.
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