Love is dragged to the ground by Adomah near to the halfway line, resulting in a free-kick for Sunderland and one last chance to fire the ball into the Middlesbrough penalty area. However, it's completely mishit by Love, who fails to beat the first man before the referee blows his whistle for the final time.
90' +3
Middlesbrough lose the ball deep inside the Sunderland half of the pitch and the hosts push forward on what will surely be their final attack of the game. A lofted pass is flung up to Defoe before bouncing out to Gooch, but the American is sloppy in possession and ends up losing the ball before he can find a teammate in front of him.
90' +1
D. Nugent enters the game and replaces Álvaro Negredo.
Middlesbrough have made a late change, with Nugent coming on to replace Negredo up front.
90'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be three minutes of added time.
89'
It's all Sunderland at the moment as they desperately pile forward in search of what would surely guarantee them a hard-fought point. However, Middlesbrough have every available player back behind the ball and are doing incredibly well to keep the Black Cats at bay. Adomah eventually picks up the ball and then heads down the left wing and towards the corner flag, where he holds up the ball well before eventually giving away a throw-in.
87'
A curling Love corner sails into the Middlesbrough penalty area and causes the visitors' defenders problems, but Gibson is just about able to turn the ball behind for a corner. Januzaj's cross is high and deep and just about finds Djilobodji, but the centre-back ends up clattering into the head of Friend and gives away a free-kick at the far post.
85'
Adomah twists and turns as he weaves his way down the left flank and past two Sunderland players. He then cuts into the penalty area and heads along the byline before trying to cut a pass back to Negredo, but he shows too much of the ball to Rodwell and is dispossessed by the makeshift centre-back before he's able to do so.
83'
Daniel Ayala enters the game and replaces Emilio Nsue.
Middlesbrough have made a defensive substitution with just seven minutes left to play, as Ayala has come to replace Nsue.
81'
L. Gooch gets yellow.
J. Asoro enters the game and replaces D. Watmore.
Sunderland have made their final change of the game, with Watmore making way for Asoro, who comes on to become the Black Cats' youngest ever Premier League player.
Gooch cynically trips Clayton as Middlesbrough try to break forward on a quick counter-attack, leaving the referee with no choice but to show the American a yellow card.
80'
Januzaj has been causing Nsue all sorts of problems today, and the full-back is continuing to struggle against the impressive Belgian. The winger darts down the right flank once again before cutting inside and poking a deft pass back to Lens, but the ball is slightly underhit and the Dutchman is beaten to it before he can pull the trigger.
Minute
Description
78'
Watmore darts down the right-hand side of the Middlesbrough penalty area and puts Barragan under pressure, which forces the Spaniard into thumping the ball out for a throw-in. It's taken quickly and sent to Lens, who then unleashes a thumping shot from 25 yards out, but it ends up hitting Watmore on the edge of the box before rolling into the feet of Clayton.
76'
Januzaj cuts inside once again before trying to pick out Defoe, but the striker leaves it to a teammate that doesn't exist and Middlesbrough are able to pick up the ball on the edge of their own penalty area. With plenty of Sunderland players forward, the visitors try to hit their opponents on a swift counter, but the Black Cats do well to close them down quickly and deny them the opportunity to do so.
74'
Almost another costly mistake by Guzan! The ball pinballs around the edge of the penalty area as they desperately try to find an equaliser. Defoe and Lens link up on the edge of the box before the striker finds Pienaar, who then sets up Januzaj over on the right flank. The winger cuts inside and fires a low shot towards goal that Guzan spills, but the goalkeeper is just about able to palm the ball out for a corner.
73'
Defoe goes close! Love momentarily loses the ball midway inside the Middlesbrough half of the pitch, but he does well to win it back before sending it over to Van Aanholt. The full-back breaks past Nsue before firing a wonderful pass across the face of goal, but it ends up missing the outstretched foot of Defoe by the narrowest of margins.
71'
P. van Aanholt has scored a goal for Sunderland!
GOAL! Sunderland have pulled one back! The hosts continue to put an incredible amount of pressure on Middlesbrough, who finally break under the strain. Van Aanholt, who has spent most of the second half camped deep down the left wing, cuts inside and links up with Watmore on the edge of the penalty area. The young Englishman takes a touch before rifling a 20-yard strike Guzan does well to save but can only push into the path of Van Aanholt, who then calmly slots the ball into the back of the net from close range. Game on!
70'
Negredo goes close! Another Sunderland attack breaks down and Middlesbrough immediately try to hit the hosts on a quick counter-attack. Stuani charges forward before sending an excellent through-ball into the path of Negredo, who is completely unmarked on the edge of the penalty area, but his first time is poor and allows Mannone to rush out and deal with the danger.
69'
Watmore embarks on another good run as he tries to weave his way into the Middlesbrough penalty area. Just as he's about to shoot, he's dispossessed and the ball trickles over to Lens, who then cuts on to his right foot before unleashing a thumping strike, but Barragan is there to throw his body in the way of the effort.
67'
It's all Sunderland at the moment as they continue to desperately push forward in search of a way back into the game. Watmore has been one of their best players over the past 10 minutes, and once again he showcases impressive skill to pick out Love over on the right flank. The full-back then tries to pick out Lens with a cross into the box, but it's slightly overhit and fails to find the Dutchman.
65'
Another chance for Sunderland! The hosts are putting Middlesbrough under an incredible amount of pressure and look extremely close to finding a goal. Once again, Van Aanholt bursts forward and plays a lovely one-two with Watmore before cutting a smart pass back to Defoe, but the striker's first-time shot is brilliantly blocked by Gibson, who stops it from troubling Guzan.
64'
The corner fails to result in a chance on goal, but Sunderland come back again quickly and win themselves another corner over on the right. Januzaj sends it high into the air and towards Watmore, but Gibson is just about able to beat him to the ball. The young winger quickly picks up possession, however, and charges into the penalty area before fizzing an excellent pass across the face of goal, but, despite it being placed perfectly, there's nobody there to meet it.
63'
Great play by Sunderland! The game has become incredibly open, and it's the hosts who are enjoying the vast majority of possession as a result. This time they work the ball around quickly just outside of the Middlesbrough penalty area before Defoe spins and finds Lens, but the Dutchman's thumping shot is deflected just wide of the near post and out for a corner.
62'
Sunderland lose the ball in the middle of the pitch and Middlesbrough are able to counter quickly. Adomah breaks down the left wing before cutting inside and looking to shoot, but his attempt on goal is poor and fails to find a way through the sea of red and white shirts camped in front of him.
60'
Excellent save by Guzan! Sunderland keep putting plenty of pressure on the Middlesbrough back line, which is starting to creak slightly. Van Aanholt and Pienaar link up well deep down the left flank before the Dutchman sends a rocket of a low shot towards the bottom right-hand corner of the net, but the American goalkeeper does wonderfully well to push the effort round the far post with a wonderful diving stop.
59'
A. Adomah enters the game and replaces G. Ramírez.
Middlesbrough have decided to make their first change of the afternoon, with Ramirez making way for Adomah.
58'
Nsue and Stuani link up well deep down the right wing, with Van Aanholt nowhere to be found. The Uruguayan heads along the byline before thumping an excellent cross towards the near post, but it's just about dealt with by a wild swipe from Djilobodji before Negredo concedes a free-kick on the left-hand side of the penalty area.
57'
Sunderland quickly regain possession over on the left wing, where Watmore picks up the ball before driving towards the penalty area. His chipped cross into the box is initially dealt with by the Middlesbrough defence before the ball bounces out to Pienaar, but the South African's 25-yard effort is poorly hit and sails comfortably wide of the goal.
56'
Chance for Gooch! The young American picks up the ball completely unopposed and immediately flies forward on a brilliant weaving run through the middle of the pitch. He does so well to reach the Middlesbrough penalty area and then looks to shoot, but he takes far too long to pull the trigger and sends his strike straight into the body of Nsue.
54'
Long balls fly from one end of the pitch to the other as the two sides try to carve out a chance on goal. It's now Sunderland who are having to deal with high pressing from Middlesbrough, who are doing well to put the hosts under pressure and forcing them into launching audacious lofted passes forward.
52'
It's been a good start to the half from Middlesbrough, who are sitting slightly deeper than they were before the break and are doing well to keep Sunderland largely at bay. With two goals under their belt and an impressive back four, the visitors will feel confident about their chances of holding on to their lead, but it looks as if the Black Cats are trying to increase the tempo of their attacks as they look for a way back into the game.
50'
Defoe goes down inside the penalty area, but nothing is given! Januzaj cuts inside from the right wing and sends a smart pass straight into the feet of Defoe. He traps the ball quickly and tries to spin round Barragan but goes down under a challenge from the Spaniard, but his half-hearted penalty appeal is ignored by the referee and play goes on.
48'
Lens goes down under a challenge from Gibson as the two battle for the ball in the air, resulting in a free-kick for Sunderland in an advantageous position midway inside the Middlesbrough half of the pitch. Januzaj chips a looping cross right on to the head of Djilobodji, but the centre-back is unable to get any power behind his header and it ends up bouncing straight into the hands of Guzan.
46'
J. Lens enters the game and replaces P. McNair.
Sunderland have made one substitution during the break, with Lens coming on to replace McNair.
And we're underway once again!
45' +2
Middlesbrough break forward once again and find themselves in an advantageous position just outside of the Sunderland penalty area. This time it's Ramirez who tries to pick out Negredo with a smart pass into the hosts' penalty area, but McNair is just about able to stick out a foot to stop the ball from reaching the Spaniard.
45'
C. Stuani has scored a goal for Middlesbrough! Assist by Álvaro Negredo.
The fourth official has indicated that there will be two minutes of added time.
That was excellent from Negredo, who easily could have pulled the trigger himself but showed good awareness to pick out Stuani, who was in a great position in front of goal.
GOAL! Middlesbrough have doubled their lead with a wonderful team goal! Forshaw charges through the middle of the pitch and finds himself in space before threading a beautiful pass into the path of Negredo. The striker meets it well and skips past Rodwell with ease before seflessly squaring the ball back to Stuani, who is easily able to thump the ball into the back of the net from close range to pick up his second goal of the game.
44'
Chance for Negredo! Friend charges down the left wing before beating Love far too easily. The full-back sprints into a pocket of space inside the penalty area and heads towards the near post before finding Negredo, but the Spaniard's first-time shot is deflected away from goal and over to the left-hand side of the box.
43'
Gooch and Stuani battle for the ball before the latter is tripped over by the American, and Sunderland are awarded a free-kick as a result. It's taken short and worked around patiently once again before Middlesbrough send the ball all the way back to Guzan inside his own penalty area. With little over a minute left to play in the first half, Karanka's side look content to keep possession as they aim to hold on to their slender lead.
42'
Middlesbrough work the ball around patiently as they look to take the sting out of the game. They comfortably hold on to possession inside the Sunderland half of the pitch before Stuani lifts a lofted pass into the hosts' penalty area and over to Negredo, but the striker is unable to keep hold of the ball and loses out to Rodwell.
40'
Pienaar is put under pressure by Ramirez on the halfway line and loses out to Uruguayan, who does well to earn Middlesbrough a throw-in just inside the Sunderland half of the pitch. It's sent towards Stuani and eventually finds its way back to Downing, but the winger is forced into playing the ball back to Barragan.
38'
The game resumes once again and Gooch flies down the left flank before earning his side a corner. The American sends another high, hanging cross into the middle of the Middlesbrough box, where it finds Djilobodji, but the centre-back is unable to make clean contact with the ball and, under pressure from Friend, ends up sending his effort bouncing comfortably wide of the near post.
37'
S. Pienaar enters the game and replaces J. O'Shea.
O'Shea is unable to continue and limps off the pitch to be replaced by Pienaar, who comes on to make his Sunderland debut. It initially looks as if McNair is going to drop back to play alongside Djilobodji in the centre of defence, but Moyes instead decides to place Rodwell into the hole vacated by O'Shea.
36'
Things don't look good for O'Shea, who has gone down on the ground and looks to have picked up an injury. With Kone out and Kaboul gone, a lengthy injury for the Irishman is the last thing that Moyes wants, but it looks as if that may end up being the case.
35'
Middlesbrough, who have spent the vast majority of the first half on the back foot defending resolutely, break forward on a determined attacking move and win themselves their first corner of the game. Downing steps up and tries to pick out Gibson in the middle of the penalty area, but the wind sends it sailing over the head of the centre-back and out for a throw-in.
33'
Another good opportunity for Sunderland! The hosts are constantly getting themselves into good positions, but it just doesn't seem to be working for them in front of goal. Once again, Watmore bursts forward on a purposeful run before finding Defoe over on the left-hand side of the penalty area, but the striker's attempted pass back to the 22-year-old is poor and can only find the hands of Guzan at the near post.
32'
McNair misses out to Clayton in the middle of the pitch, and Middlesbrough push forward on a rare forway into the Sunderland half of the pitch. However, the hosts do well to immediately put their opponents under pressure and force them into spinning and playing the ball all the way back to Barragan.
30'
Disappointing from Watmore! Van Aanholt flies down the left wing on a great run before cutting inside and finding Watmore. The attacking midfielder is in a pocket of space just outside of the Middlesbrough penalty area and spins quickly before trying to pick out Januzaj over on the right, but his completely mishits his pass and sends it flying out for a throw-in, much to the frustration of the home fans.
29'
Chance for Defoe! Gibson clumsily loses possession in the middle of the pitch, allowing Watmore to steal the ball from under his nose before trying to thread it through the striker. It fails to find the forward but rolls over to Januzaj, who then sends a better pass into the feet of Defoe, but he's flagged offside just as Guzan saves his close-range effort on goal.
27'
Sunderland quickly win back possession and come at Middlesbrough once again. Januzaj cuts inside from the right wing and beats two players before picking out Rodwell just outside of the visitors' box, but the midfielder's 25-yard overhit is completely overhit and sails comfortably over the top of the crossbar.
26'
A. Clayton gets yellow.
Clayton charges into Januzaj and clumsily drags the winger to the ground, resulting in another free-kick for Sunderland in a dangerous position. The Belgian steps up and curls a looping cross into the heart of the Middlesbrough penalty area, but it's unable to find its way past Forshaw, who rises high and meets the ball well before heading it away from danger.
25'
Love finds himself in an advantageous position deep down the right wing thanks to a good run forward from Januzaj. The full-back sends a smart pass into the penalty area that finds Defoe, but the striker is unable to send a clean shot towards goal and instead sees his quick effort bounce harmlessly into the hands of Guzan.
24'
Another lovely run by Januzaj! The Belgian is causing plenty of problems down the right flank, where the full-back is struggling to keep up with the on-loan winger. Once again, he skips past the left-back and heads along the byline before trying to knock a deft pass into the feet of Defoe, but Forshaw is there to cut out the danger and make sure that the ball doesn't reach the striker.
22'
Watmore weaves his way down the left flank before forcing Nsue into conceding a cheap corner. Gooch steps up and loops a high cross over towards the far post, where it finds McNair, but the youngster is unable to find a teammate with his header across goal and Middlesbrough are easily able to deal with the danger.
21'
Love carelessly loses the ball deep down the left wing and allows Middlesbrough to counter quickly through Downing, who immediately darts down the flank before cutting inside. However, his attempted cut-back towards Negredo is poor and fails to find the Spaniard on the edge of the Sunderland penalty area.
19'
Middlesbrough are looking far more calm and composed now that they have a goal under their belts. They're moving the ball around with far more purpose and are starting to find it easier to deal with Sunderland's pressing, with Negredo dropping especially deep to hold up the ball and bring Stuani and Ramirez into play.
17'
After a disappointing few minutes, Sunderland regain possession once again and win themselves a free-kick midway inside the Middlesbrough half of the pitch. Januzaj steps up and sends a looping cross into the visitors' penalty area, but Negredo and Downing are just about able to deal with the danger.
15'
Straight from the restart, Middlesbrough win the ball back and immediately try to double their lead. Ramirez flies forward before finding himself in a similar position to Stuani in the build-up to his side's opener, but this time Mannone rushes out to deal with the danger on the edge of the box before the Uruguayan is able to shoot.
13'
C. Stuani has scored a goal for Middlesbrough! Assist by Álvaro Negredo.
GOAL! What a strike by Stuani! Completely against the run of play, Middlesbrough fire themselves into an early lead thanks to a world-class finish from the Uruguayan. He breaks forward quickly and darts down the right wing before Nsue takes Van Aanholt out of the game, allowing the former Espanyol man to find a pocket of space just outside of the Sunderland penalty area. He then lifts his head and unleashes an almighty rocket of a strike that flies past the outstretched fingertips of Mannone and into the top left-hand corner of the net. What a way to open your Premier League account!
Negredo has been credited with the assist, but Nsue deserves a lot of praise for his run down the right. The full-back made life difficult for Van Aanholt and forced the Dutchman into stepping off Stuani, which gifted the goalscorer with the space needed to shoot.
11'
Middlesbrough lose the ball on the halfway line, allowing Sunderland to break forward on an incredibly quick counter-attack. Gooch darts down the left wing before trying to pick out Defoe inside the penalty area, but his cross is overhit and fails to find the striker. However, it's picked up by Januzaj and blasted back into the box, where this time it reaches Defoe. He spins quickly before trying to shoot, but Barragan is just about able to stick out a foot to stop the effort from troubling Guzan.
9'
Lovely delivery by Gooch! Van Aanholt and Gooch link up well deep down the left flank before the latter cuts inside and swings a dangerous cross over towards the far post. Januzaj darts away from Friend and almost makes contact with the ball just a few yards away from goal, but, despite his best efforts, he's unable to do so.
7'
Middlesbrough are finally able to string together a series of good passes as they work the ball from one flank to the other. Friend then breaks forward down the left wing before trying to set up Nsue, who had made a good run from the opposite side of the pitch, but the captain's attempted pass is poor and bounces past the right-back and into the hands of Mannone.
5'
It's been a positive start from the hosts, who are doing well to put Middlesbrough under plenty of pressure. As a result, the visitors are struggling to find a way out of their own half of the pitch, leaving Negredo as an isolated and frustrated figure deep inside the Sunderland half.
4'
Watmore darts down the left flank before being clattered into by Barragan, resulting in a free-kick for Sunderland midway inside the Middlesbrough half of the pitch. It's taken short and sent to Januzaj, who once again shows good skill as he weaves his way into the box, but his attempted shot fails to find its way through the sea of dark blue shirts camped just in front of him.
3'
Great run by Januzaj! The on-loan winger twists and turns as he makes his way deep down the right wing. He then cuts inside and beats Friend with ease before penetrating the penalty area and fizzing a low pass across the face of goal, but it's sent slightly too near to Guzan, who does well to collect the ball under pressure from Defoe.
2'
After an even start to the game from both sides, Gibson blasts a lofted pass up the pitch and towards Negredo. The striker meets the ball on the halfway line but takes an arm in the side of the head from Djilobodji, leaving him in a heap on the floor and in considerable discomfort. However, after receiving medical treatment for a few moments, he makes a full recovery and is able to continue once again.
1'
And we're off! Middlesbrough get us underway, attacking from right to left.
Good afternoon and welcome to our live text commentary of today’s Premier League game between Sunderland and Middlesbrough at the Stadium of Light.
With Middlesbrough back in the Premier League for the first time since 2009, the always entertaining Tees-Wear derby is able to resume once again. It’s been almost four years since these two local rivals last met in a closely-fought League Cup battle, and over seven since the two were in the top tier together. After failing to pick up wins in their opening games of the season, both will look at this fixture knowing that they have a good chance of picking up all three points from what is sure to be a fiery encounter.
Middlesbrough’s first game back in the Premier League resulted in a well-deserved draw at home to Stoke City, with on-loan striker Alvaro Negedro only taking 11 minutes to get on the scoresheet. The former Manchester City man will be relishing the chance to take on a new-look Sunderland defence today as his side aim to pick up their first top-tier victory since April 2009.
A spirited display from Sunderland almost saw them salvage a point against a revitalised Manchester City side on the opening weekend, but a late Paddy McNair own-goal denied the Black Cats a draw in David Moyes’ first game in charge. There were plenty of positives to take away, however, and the Scot will be looking to build on those impressive foundations here today. However, the loss of Younes Kaboul to Watford could prove to be pivotal, especially against a Middlesbrough side that were so impressive in front of goal last season.
Middlesbrough have been handed a relatively comfortable start to the new season, with West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace their next opponents before their first real test comes against Everton in three weeks’ time. Aitor Karanka’s side will be pleased with their performance against Stoke and will be aiming to continue that good form here today against a team that could once again end up struggling at the wrong end of the table this season. The North Yorkshire side have only lost once against Sunderland in their last four meetings, but, crucially, are without a Premier League win against the Black Cats since 2006.
There’s just over 15 minutes left to go until kick-off, so let’s have a look at how the two teams will be lining up this afternoon…
Middlesbrough substitutes: Konstantopoulos, Ayala, Baptiste, De Sart, Adomah, Fischer, Nugent.
David Moyes has decided to make three changes to the Sunderland side that started the 2-1 defeat away to Manchester City on the opening day of the season, with new signings Papy Djilobodji, Paddy McNair and Adnan Januzaj all coming in to the starting line-up to replace Lamine Kone, Younes Kaboul and Fabio Borini, respectively.
Meanwhile, Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka has also made three alterations to the side that drew against Stoke last weekend, with Victor Valdes, Marten de Roon and Albert Adomah making way for Brad Guzan, Adam Forshaw and Cristhian Stuani. Guzan comes in to the squad to make his first start since joining from Aston Villa, with Valdes missing out due to a muscle strain.
The two sides are making their way out onto the pitch, with just a few minutes to go until kick-off.
Sunderland substitutes: Pickford, Asoro, T. Robson, Pienaar, Lens, Khazri, J. Robson.
Sunderland XI (4-2-3-1): Mannone; Love, Djilobodji, O'Shea, Van Aanholt; Rodwell, McNair; Watmore, Gooch, Januzaj; Defoe.
HALF-TIME: SUNDERLAND 0-2 MIDDLESBROUGH
Everything started so well for Sunderland, but their first home game of the season has quickly turned into a nightmare. Despite looking bright at the other end of the pitch, their defensive problems have continually haunted them, with O'Shea's injury making life even more difficult for the struggling Black Cats. Stuani's wonder strike to open the scoring was arguably unstoppable, but Middlesbrough's second, a wonderfully worked team goal, exposed the home side's frailties at the back. It's going to be very tough for Moyes' men to find a way back into the game now.
The two teams are making their way back out onto the pitch ahead of the start of the second half.
FULL-TIME: SUNDERLAND 1-2 MIDDLESBROUGH
The Middlesbrough fans cheer wildly as the final whistle is blown and their first win of the season is confirmed. They were certainly made to work hard for the victory, as Sunderland put in a great effort in the second half to put the visitors under constant pressure. Watmore, Januzaj, Defoe and Lens all camped themselves on the edge of the Middlesbrough penalty area and were presented with a plethora of chances, but each one was well dealt with by Karanka's men, who, bar a mistake from Guzan that resulted in a goal for Van Aanholt, defended brilliantly.
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