MARCUS TAVERNIER’S FIRST Football League goal lifted Middlesbrough into the Championship play-off places as a 1-0 derby win over managerless Sunderland kept the Black Cats rooted to the foot of the table.
Sunderland, who sacked Simon Grayson on Tuesday after a 3-3 home draw with fellow strugglers Bolton Wanderers stretched their winless run to 13 league games, had their chances at the Riverside Stadium, particularly in the opening 15 minutes.
However, it was an early strike from teenager Tavernier that proved decisive and earned Boro a third win in succession, moving them up to fifth.
There was no fewer than six Republic of Ireland internationals starting today’s game. Darren Randolph and Cyrus Christie were in the home side’s line-up, while John O’Shea, Marc Wilson, Darron Gibson and Aiden McGeady all featured for the Black Cats. Northern Ireland international, Paddy McNair, was also part of the visitors’ side.
Sunderland, with Billy McKinlay and Robbie Stockdale in caretaker charge, should have been ahead inside three minutes. Randolph fumbled a long-range effort from Didier Ndong into the path of Lewis Grabban, who looked certain to score but instead fired his shot into the left leg of the Boro goalkeeper.
That miss was soon punished as a fine passing move from the hosts ended with the lively Martin Brathwaite latching on to a clever reverse pass from Stewart Downing and crossing for Tavernier to tuck home at the near post.
The initial response was strong from Sunderland, who were forced to substitute Billy Jones after the full-back collided with team-mate Gibson, but the game grew scrappier as the first half drew to a close and it was Boro who looked stronger after the interval.
After Ndong had limped off to deal Sunderland another blow, Brathwaite spurned a fine chance to double his side’s lead in the 56th minute, shooting straight at Robbin Ruiter from 12 yards before the visiting keeper reacted sharply to grasp the ball at the second attempt.
Ruiter also palmed away a Downing free-kick with 14 minutes remaining, but one goal was all Boro needed as McGeady spurned a late chance at the other end.
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