Sunderland vs Middlesbrough

All the latest from the Stadium of Light as Tony Mowbray's Black Cats take on North East rivals Middlesbrough under Michael Carrick.

Stewart gets goalside of Fry and races towards the box, Fry brings him down. [Middlesbrough](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/all-about/middlesbrough-fc) in fine form, but such is the nature of the Championship this season, there are only four points separating the two sides heading into today's game. It doesn't count, though - Stewart was well offside [Black Cats](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/all-about/sunderland-afc) boss [Tony Mowbray](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/all-about/tony-mowbray) will be hoping his side can make up for their disappointing 3-1 home defeat to Swansea City last time out, a game in which they played with 10 men for the majority following [Luke O'Nien's](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/all-about/luke-onien) dismissal. Neat build-up from Sunderland down the right, Amad collects the ball inside the box and cuts it back for Roberts who doesn't make a clean contact with his shot but even so Steffen spills it and Stewart is there to rifle the loose ball into the roof of the net. He misses out today through suspension, with [Danny Batth](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/all-about/danny-batth) or [Bailey Wright](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/all-about/bailey-wright) expected to start.

Sunderland were rewarded for a dominant performance with three points and a clean sheet over local 'rivals' Middlesbrough. Here's how Andy rated the Lads!

Took his goal really well, never gave the ball away despite always wanting to make something happen and Boro couldn’t get near him. Came on in place of Evans, in what should have been a difficult game to be introduced into so early but played so well that we rarely missed Evans’ experience. His movement today was top notch, will probably be disappointed he only got one goal with a couple of good chances spurned.

Diallo, on loan from Manchester United, was at the heart of everything Sunderland did well as they beat Middlesbrough 2-0, with the visitors having Dael Fry ...

Refreshingly, Carrick adheres to similar footballing principles and, with time-wasting and gamesmanship so rife at present, it was pleasing to see two sides attempting to keep the ball in play whenever possible. “The ball sticks to his foot, he sees every pass, and his belief and personality are growing. As Fry trudged off, Steffen saved Stewart’s ensuing penalty but the striker made no mistake from the rebound and was soon celebrating his 11th goal in 14 games. Presumably anxious to atone for that miss, the loanee proceeded to make himself central to the creation or execution of almost every subsequent home chance. Carrick once coached the Ivorian at Old Trafford and the visiting manager must have feared the worst when an uncharacteristically slapdash early pass from his goalkeeper, Zack Steffen, flew straight to Diallo. “He’s got the talent to play for Manchester United’s first XI,” said Sunderland’s manager.

Ross Stewart and Amad Diallo are on target as Sunderland overcome 10-man Middlesbrough in the Wear-Tees derby.

Tommy Smith (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Attempt blocked. Amad Diallo (Sunderland) left footed shot from the right side of the box to the bottom right corner. - Away10 - Shots - 2Jones - 30Hackney - 6Batth - 5Ballard - 32Hume - 1Patterson We just have to keep trying to produce a team that can compete in this division and, as we build it over the next year or two, the aspirations of the team will get higher."

Sunderland face Middlesbrough at the Stadium of Light – and we've got all the action covered.

Stewart makes another threatening run with the ball before firing a shot over the bar from the edge of the box. LIVE: Sunderland 2 (Stewart, 51) (Amad, 81) Middlesbrough 0 Sunderland recorded a 2-0 win over Middlesbrough at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland face Middlesbrough at the Stadium of Light – and we've got all the action covered.

- Sunderland XI: Patterson, Hume, Batth, Ballard, Alese (Wright, 70), Evans (Michut, 12), Neil, Roberts (Ba, 82) , Amad, Clarke (Bennette, 82), Stewart LIVE: Sunderland 2 (Stewart, 51) (Amad, 81) Middlesbrough 0 Sunderland face Middlesbrough at the Stadium of Light – and we’ve got all the action covered.