Middlesbrough's Championship winning run came to an end at the Stadium of Light as Sunderland finally ended their seven match winless run in this fixture.

Ross Stewart and Amad Diallo got the second half goals for the hosts, who climbed to within a point of their near-neighbours.

We assess the talking points to arise from the game:

Positives for Boro

For Michael Carrick, despite the defeat, two real positives emerged.

The first was the manner in which his team responded to the red card and penalty decision. Indeed, Boro's best spell came after the double setback of losing a man and falling behind, with Darragh Lenihan and Riley McGree going close, Hayden Hackney firing over and Tommy Smith trying his luck. Boro were denied what looked a stonewall penalty in the last minute as well, when Chuba Akpom hit the deck.

It was a show of character from the visitors after a disappointing first half display and the controversial game-changing call early in the second period.

The second plus for Carrick was the performance of Cameron Archer, who looked bright from the bench.

Carrick said: “Cam has been terrific and has trained really well. He’s an important player in the group now and it’s not easy to pick a team when everyone is playing so well. It’s nice that we have the options, but trying to get everyone into the team who deserves it is not always easy.

"But there are plenty of games to play to do that. I was really pleased with Cam when he came on, in a slightly different position as well. He did ever so well."

Carrick doesn't make changes to his team for the sake of it, but Archer has given the head coach something to think about ahead of the visit of Watford this coming Saturday.

READ MORE: Carrick slams 'two big decisions' that went against Middlesbrough in Sunderland loss

Amad proves both bosses right

In the days leading up to this game, both Mowbray and Carrick talked up the talent of Amad Diallo. The brilliant Manchester United loanee then went and showed why both head coaches think so highly of him.

Carrick coached Amad at Manchester United, and Mowbray wouldn't be surprised to see the 20-year-old in the first team at Old Trafford next season.

"I think he's got the talent to play for Man Utd," said the Sunderland boss post-match.

"The ball sticks to his foot, he sees every pass and works really hard. We've worked hard on getting him to shoot more regularly, and so I can see his belief and his personality growing.

"The hope is he goes back to Man Utd, does what he does and finds himself around their team. He'll get opportunities I bet in pre-season and then it's down to him.

"It's unbelievable how clever he is with the football. The talent will never be a problem for Amad. I'll be really interested to see how he goes."

Despite the disappointment of defeat, Carrick too acknowledged the quality of the silky youngster.

"He’s really talented Amad, good in tight spaces and does what he does with the ball. From the goal, that’s what he brings and I think that’s what he’s maybe brought a bit more is his end product from when I knew him when he was a little bit younger a couple of years ago. He’s doing really well."

Amad deserved the goal that he finally scored nine minutes from time. His movement, quick-thinking and equally rapid feet troubled Boro throughout. He's a class act.

Roberts reminder

As impressive as Amad was Patrick Roberts, whose talent is no secret to Middlesbrough fans.

The 25-year-old had two loan spells on Teesside, in the second half of the 2019/20 season and the first half of the following campaign. Then on loan from Manchester City, Roberts played a key role as Boro climbed to Championship safety under Neil Warnock and, to the delight of the fans, returned on another spell for the next season.

But it didn't work out. He made just four starts and nine appearances in total, with Warnock more concerned with what Roberts didn't do on the pitch than what he did - or could.

There was never any doubting his ability but the tricky forward has matured at Sunderland and, under Mowbray, has finally found some much-needed consistency. On his day, he's as good as just about any forward player in the Championship.

READ MORE:

Another meeting in May?

It's 1-1 for the season between Boro and Sunderland - could it be settled in May?

You wouldn't rule out both of these teams finishing in the play-off positions. They're certainly good enough.

Sunderland showed on Sunday why rival bosses have been telling Mowbray the Black Cats are as good as any team in the division on their day, while Boro, despite a below-par display at the Stadium of Light, are a team transformed under Carrick.

Setbacks have been rare since the head coach's arrival but when Boro have hit a stumbling block, they've responded, and the visit of Watford on Saturday presents an excellent opportunity to get back on track in style. There'll certainly be no panic or overreaction on Teesside after Sunday's defeat.

"We weren't at our best, we know that, but that's football, you can't always be at your best," said Carrick afterwards.

Does he think he could come up against Sunderland again in the play-offs?

“Maybe, but it’s up to us to just worry about ourselves," said the Boro head coach.

"Tony has done a terrific job here and has a really good team. But that’s it now between us because we’ve played each other twice and we just have to look at ourselves now in terms of our development and improvement.

"We have a good game next week at home and I’m already looking forward to that to see the reaction of the boys."