Middlesbrough against Sunderland

For the second time this afternoon, Sunderland sprint out of defence as Rochemback prepares to take a set-piece, catching four Boro players off-side.

Middlesbrough desperately need a goal, but all they can come up with are long balls up to Hasselbaink and Viduka; there has been no thought to their play in this second half.

Maccarrone mis-controls Pogatetz's pass down the left wing, and Sunderland win a throw. The game is slipping away from the home side.

SUB: Le Tallac on, Elliott off. A striker for a striker. Elliott has run himself in to the ground this afternoon.

Whitehead takes his time over a corner, and wins a free-kick when Rochemback brings him down near the corner flag.

Sunderland prepare to make a change as they try to close in on their first Premiership win of the season; a win that would leave Everton on the bottom of the table.

Viduka trips Arca as the Sunderland man crosses the half-way line, but has the grace and good manners to apologise for his indiscresion.

Pogatatz wins his side a corner when Nosworthy blocks his cross and the ball deflects behind, but Sunderland cope with the set-piece easily.

Whitehead is helped to his feet by the Sunderland physio, and is greeted by a round of boos from the home crowd.

Whitehead falls swkwardly after a challenge with Pogatatz; Boro are furious, believing the Sunderland man to be timewasting.

Boro look a little clueless in the final third this afternoon; most of their play is coming through the middle, and Breen and Caldwell have coped comfortably.

Hasselbaink is furious as he is caught off-side from Boateng's pass; he implores his team-mate to release the ball quicker and to up the tempo.

The home side win a free-kick when Parlour is brought down. The ball is rolled to Hasselbaink who strikes a 30-yard shot goalwards, though it is blocked inside the penalty area.

Middlesbrough are having almost all of the ball now, but they have still to have a shot on target in the second half.

A decisive passing move sets Maccarrone free inside the penalty area, but Breen reads his cut-back towards Hasselbaink and the veteran defender clears the danger.

Pogatatz takes a throw deep in the Sunderland half, but the visitors are so organised and committed in defence that the home side cannot create anything.

Hoyte breaks in to some space down the left, and almost wins his side a corner; Maccarrone has tracked back, though, and clears for a throw.

Gray and Elliott are still causing a few moments of panic in the Boro defence, especially from long balls that they refuse to give up on.

Great pressing and determination from Elliott as he chases down a long ball from Arca and wins his side a throw, high up the pitch.

Hasselbaink has looked as sharp and enthusiastic as ever in the first few minutes since his introduction.

The referee is annoying the home crowd with a series of decisions against Boro that are breaking up the play and wasteing valuable seconds.

Whitehead is left holding his leg after a sliding challenge with Boateng; both players are soon on their feet, and Whitehead is booked.

SUB: Morrison, Yakubu off; Hasselbaink and Parlour on. Like-for-like switches by McClaren as he tries to drag his side back in to the match.

Boro win a free-kick, about 30 yards out. Queudrue takes it, but blasts his shot a few yards over the bar.

Boro haven't given this game up; they know that it they can get a goal back, Sunderland will start to feel nervous.

Could this be Sunderland's first victory in the Premiership this season? They have just about half-an-hour to hang on.

Sunderland don't deserve to be TWO goals up, though they have certainly played well this afternoon. The second goal will be debated by Boro, who felt hard done-by about the free-kick.

GOAL! Arca curls the free-kick in to the top corner. A contentious goal; was the foul committed before Gray was caught off-side? The referee thought so, and Sunderland have capitalised.

There's some confusion as Gray sprints on to a loose ball on the edge of the Boro area, attempts to round Jones but is stopped by the linesman's flag; the referee acknowledges the off-side, but calls play back for a free-kick to Sunderland on the edge of the area, and inexplicably books Southgate.

The pace and tempo of the game have really picked up in the last few minutes; the ball is being zipped about from side to side and players are roaring in to tackles.

Maccarrone is really fired-up in this second half; he is flying about the pitch and diving in to tackles. He needs to be careful; he's already been booked.

Boro win a corner, but Caldwell shows good bravery to dive and head the ball clear from inside the six-yard box.

Nosworthy is now back on the field. Maccarrone and Hoyte clash after they tussled on the by-line. Both are booked.

Bassila is the first back on to the field; Sunderland are back up to ten men.

Oooh! With Sunderland two men down, Yakubu feeds Viduka on the edge of the area but the Australian curls his shot narrowly wide of the post.

Nosworthy and Bassila clash heads in the middle of the park and both are forced to leave the field for treatment. Sunderland are down to nine men for the moment.

Boro have had almost double the possession of their visitors over the course of the match, but Sunderland have always looked comfortable.

Rochemback has looked a little off the pace this afternoon; he has had a lot of space and time to create things for his side, but has too often chosen the wrong option.

Soutgate's pass in towards Yakubu is overhit, though Morrison sprints on to the loose ball and begins to cut in to the penalty area. He is halted by an off-side flag.

Breen has been excellent at the heart of the Sunderland defence; he hasn't allowed Yakubu any space to turn and run at him.

Morrison and Maccarrone seem to have been given license to roam about behind Viduka and Yakubu; they are switching wings and drifting in to the middle regularly.

Boro win an early free-kick, 40 yards out. Rochemback swings the ball in, but Sunderland push up very quickly and catch seven Boro players off-side.

Boro have Hasselbaink on the bench, should they still be needing a goal later in the game. He looks like he is itching to get on after recovering from injury.

The players are back on the field; Boro look determined to get an equaliser and perhaps to press on for victory.

HALF-TIME: Sunderland go in a goal to the good after their early strike. Boro have huffed and puffed, but been restricted to just a couple of chances which Davis has done very well to keep out.

Boro win a free-kick when Breen is clumsy in his challenge with Rochemback on the edge of the area. He lays the ball back to Boateng, but his low shot is well saved by Davis.

Southgate works the ball wide to Rochemback, cutting in from the left wing, but the Brazilian blasts his shot from 20 yards high and wide.

Bassila needs some treatment after a clash of heads with Rochemback in the centre-circle.

Morrison sprints through the middle; with players left and right of him, the young midfielder decides to shoot, but drags his shot well wide.

It's been a quiet end to the half, with Boro unable to maintain any pressure on the visitors, who are working tirelessly.

Gray is penalised for holding Southgate's shirt; an unneccessary free-kick given away by the youngster.

Sunderland will be delighted to go in a goal-up at the break; they have done well to restrict Boro to just a couple of chances after taking their early lead.

A long goal-kick from Davis ends up at the feet of Jones, though Elliott puts him under pressure and the Boro keeper is forced to put the ball out for a throw.

Oooh! Another lovely passing move from Boro sets Morrison free, though the linesman wrongly calls the youngster off-side.

Rochemback intercepts the corner and breaks from defence, though his ambitious pass with the outside of his boot is overhit and drifts harmlessly out.

Sunderland win a corner when Whitehead's cross is deflected behind by Morrison.

Whitehead does well to break forward down the right, though with four colleagues waiting in the box, he allows Boateng to get across and block his cross.

Ehiogu has had more than his fair share of injury problems; let's hope it's nothing too serious.

BORO SUB: Maccarrone on, Ehiogu off. An attacking switch from McClaren; Queudrue will go to left-back, and Pogatatz to centre-back.

Ehiogu requires some treatment on a hamstring injury; it looks quite serious, and there is some movement on the Boro bench.

Elliott buys his side a bit more breathing space when he wins a free-kick in the centre-circle from Southgate.

The home crowd are becoming a little frustrated at the moment; their side don't deserve to be a goal down, but need to start taking their chances.

Oooh! Another great save by Davis as Yakubu latches on to Nosworthy's mis-kick inside his own area and fires a low shot goalwards.

Oooh! Morrison bursts through the middle, latching on to Viduka's pass, but Davis makes a superb save low to his right.

Queudrue is booked for a barge on Arca as the Sunderland man attempted to break from midfield.

Sunderland have done a good job of keeping Boro quiet since they scored; they have created no clear-cut chances to speak of.

Good quick feet by Morrison in the middle buys him a little space, and he uses it to find Queudrue on the left wing; his cross is deflected, though, and Davis collects easily.

Queudrue then has a left-foot shot blocked by Breen, the ball spinning out for a Boro corner.

Boateng has a firm shot blocked on the edge of the area after Xavier's long throw is only half-cleared.

Sunderland look very committed in the tackle; they aren't allowing their hosts any time on the ball and are applying good pressure.

Boateng and Bassila fight for the ball after the whistle had gone, annoying the referee somewhat. No cards, though.

Breen makes a late run in to the far post; his header is blocked and falls to Caldwell, but he slices his shot high over the crossbar.

Boateng fouls Whitehead as the two tussle for the ball in a central area. Free-kick to Sunderland, around 40 yards out.

Bassila does better this time as he robs Viduka on the edge of the Sunderland penalty area.

Elliott is full of running up front for Sunderland; he is working very hard, sprinting in to the channels to give his midfield an option.

Sunderland haven't beaten Middlesbrough for over five years, though they have made a very bright start to this match. A win takes them off the bottom of the table.

Again, Bassila picks up a loose ball in a promising area, but his pass to a team-mate is mis-placed.

Arca fires a great cross in to the area, though Southgate rises high to flick clear with his head.

Breen is going to be a key figure for the visitors this afternoon; he is having to deal with some strong and powerful runs from Viduka and Yakubu.

Boro are making a decent fist of getting back in to the match after their early blow; it's shaping up to be a really good game.

Bassila wins the ball through the middle, but his pass in towards Elliott is much too heavy and Boro get back in numbers. A great chance to carve out a shooting opportunity, but his pass was awful.

Morrison has a shot blocked inside the area after Yakubu had broken free down the right channel. This has been a good spell for Boro.

The corner is flicked on towards Ehiogu at the back post, but instead of heading for goal, he tries to place a header back in to the six-yard box. Sunderland clear.

Pogatetz does well to overlap on the left, and his low cross in to the six-yard box earns his side a corner.

A Boro free-kick lofted in to the penalty area towards Ehiogu is dealt with well by Nosworthy at the back for the visitors.

Sunderland have made a great start to the game; they have bossed most of the possession and look calm and composed on the ball. Boro are struggling to get a foothold in the early stages.

Whitehead takes hold of the ball and attempts to push forward down the right-hand side; he wins his side a throw, deep in the Boro half.

Viduka works some space for himself inside the Sunderland penalty area, though his cross is easily cut out by Breen.

Eilliot manages a shot on goal as he just manages to get in front of his marker, though he turns his low cross a few yards wide of Jones' post.

The corner is dealt with well by Sunderland, who will be keen not to sit back on their lead and invite pressure on their defence.

Xavier chips a threatening ball in to the area towards Viduka, but Breen is tight on his man and heads over the bar. Corner.

McClaren doesn't look very pleased with the start his side have made; they have yet to get any decent possession or time on the ball.

Without wishing to state the obvious, that was just the start the visitors needed after their shocking recent run.

GOAL! Amazing start as Miller puts Sunderland a goal up. A long ball through the middle isn't dealt with by Boro, and Miller stabs the ball past Jones from just inside the area.

Lovely day in the north east of England; warm and sunny. There's a great atmosphere inside the stadium, too. We're set for a cracker.

Expect blood and thunder and, now that the Premiership is officially exciting again (TM Sky Sports television) who knows, we might even get a few goals as well.

Middlesbrough have had a mixed start to a season of great expectation whilst Sunderland are still looking for that elusive Premiership win. Getting it in their neighbours' back yard would do nicely for under pressure Mick McCarthy.

A very local barny gets the nation's attention at the Riverside this afternoon as North East bragging rights are up for grabs.

Pogatatz takes a throw deep in the Sunderland half, but the visitors are so organised and committed in defence that the home side cannot create anything.

Hoyte breaks in to some space down the left, and almost wins his side a corner; Maccarrone has tracked back, though, and clears for a throw.

Gray and Elliott are still causing a few moments of panic in the Boro defence, especially from long balls that they refuse to give up on.

Great pressing and determination from Elliott as he chases down a long ball from Arca and wins his side a throw, high up the pitch.

Hasselbaink has looked as sharp and enthusiastic as ever in the first few minutes since his introduction.

The referee is annoying the home crowd with a series of decisions against Boro that are breaking up the play and wasteing valuable seconds.

Whitehead is left holding his leg after a sliding challenge with Boateng; both players are soon on their feet, and Whitehead is booked.

SUB: Morrison, Yakubu off; Hasselbaink and Parlour on. Like-for-like switches by McClaren as he tries to drag his side back in to the match.

Boro win a free-kick, about 30 yards out. Queudrue takes it, but blasts his shot a few yards over the bar.

Boro haven't given this game up; they know that it they can get a goal back, Sunderland will start to feel nervous.

Could this be Sunderland's first victory in the Premiership this season? They have just about half-an-hour to hang on.

Sunderland don't deserve to be TWO goals up, though they have certainly played well this afternoon. The second goal will be debated by Boro, who felt hard done-by about the free-kick.

GOAL! Arca curls the free-kick in to the top corner. A contentious goal; was the foul committed before Gray was caught off-side? The referee thought so, and Sunderland have capitalised.

There's some confusion as Gray sprints on to a loose ball on the edge of the Boro area, attempts to round Jones but is stopped by the linesman's flag; the referee acknowledges the off-side, but calls play back for a free-kick to Sunderland on the edge of the area, and inexplicably books Southgate.

The pace and tempo of the game have really picked up in the last few minutes; the ball is being zipped about from side to side and players are roaring in to tackles.

Maccarrone is really fired-up in this second half; he is flying about the pitch and diving in to tackles. He needs to be careful; he's already been booked.

Boro win a corner, but Caldwell shows good bravery to dive and head the ball clear from inside the six-yard box.

Nosworthy is now back on the field. Maccarrone and Hoyte clash after they tussled on the by-line. Both are booked.

Bassila is the first back on to the field; Sunderland are back up to ten men.

Oooh! With Sunderland two men down, Yakubu feeds Viduka on the edge of the area but the Australian curls his shot narrowly wide of the post.

Nosworthy and Bassila clash heads in the middle of the park and both are forced to leave the field for treatment. Sunderland are down to nine men for the moment.

Boro have had almost double the possession of their visitors over the course of the match, but Sunderland have always looked comfortable.

Rochemback has looked a little off the pace this afternoon; he has had a lot of space and time to create things for his side, but has too often chosen the wrong option.

Soutgate's pass in towards Yakubu is overhit, though Morrison sprints on to the loose ball and begins to cut in to the penalty area. He is halted by an off-side flag.

Breen has been excellent at the heart of the Sunderland defence; he hasn't allowed Yakubu any space to turn and run at him.

Morrison and Maccarrone seem to have been given license to roam about behind Viduka and Yakubu; they are switching wings and drifting in to the middle regularly.

Boro win an early free-kick, 40 yards out. Rochemback swings the ball in, but Sunderland push up very quickly and catch seven Boro players off-side.

Boro have Hasselbaink on the bench, should they still be needing a goal later in the game. He looks like he is itching to get on after recovering from injury.

The players are back on the field; Boro look determined to get an equaliser and perhaps to press on for victory.

HALF-TIME: Sunderland go in a goal to the good after their early strike. Boro have huffed and puffed, but been restricted to just a couple of chances which Davis has done very well to keep out.

Boro win a free-kick when Breen is clumsy in his challenge with Rochemback on the edge of the area. He lays the ball back to Boateng, but his low shot is well saved by Davis.

Southgate works the ball wide to Rochemback, cutting in from the left wing, but the Brazilian blasts his shot from 20 yards high and wide.

Bassila needs some treatment after a clash of heads with Rochemback in the centre-circle.

Morrison sprints through the middle; with players left and right of him, the young midfielder decides to shoot, but drags his shot well wide.

It's been a quiet end to the half, with Boro unable to maintain any pressure on the visitors, who are working tirelessly.

Gray is penalised for holding Southgate's shirt; an unneccessary free-kick given away by the youngster.

Sunderland will be delighted to go in a goal-up at the break; they have done well to restrict Boro to just a couple of chances after taking their early lead.

A long goal-kick from Davis ends up at the feet of Jones, though Elliott puts him under pressure and the Boro keeper is forced to put the ball out for a throw.

Oooh! Another lovely passing move from Boro sets Morrison free, though the linesman wrongly calls the youngster off-side.

Rochemback intercepts the corner and breaks from defence, though his ambitious pass with the outside of his boot is overhit and drifts harmlessly out.

Sunderland win a corner when Whitehead's cross is deflected behind by Morrison.

Whitehead does well to break forward down the right, though with four colleagues waiting in the box, he allows Boateng to get across and block his cross.

Ehiogu has had more than his fair share of injury problems; let's hope it's nothing too serious.

BORO SUB: Maccarrone on, Ehiogu off. An attacking switch from McClaren; Queudrue will go to left-back, and Pogatatz to centre-back.

Ehiogu requires some treatment on a hamstring injury; it looks quite serious, and there is some movement on the Boro bench.

Elliott buys his side a bit more breathing space when he wins a free-kick in the centre-circle from Southgate.

The home crowd are becoming a little frustrated at the moment; their side don't deserve to be a goal down, but need to start taking their chances.

Oooh! Another great save by Davis as Yakubu latches on to Nosworthy's mis-kick inside his own area and fires a low shot goalwards.

Oooh! Morrison bursts through the middle, latching on to Viduka's pass, but Davis makes a superb save low to his right.

Queudrue is booked for a barge on Arca as the Sunderland man attempted to break from midfield.

Sunderland have done a good job of keeping Boro quiet since they scored; they have created no clear-cut chances to speak of.

Good quick feet by Morrison in the middle buys him a little space, and he uses it to find Queudrue on the left wing; his cross is deflected, though, and Davis collects easily.

Queudrue then has a left-foot shot blocked by Breen, the ball spinning out for a Boro corner.

Boateng has a firm shot blocked on the edge of the area after Xavier's long throw is only half-cleared.

Sunderland look very committed in the tackle; they aren't allowing their hosts any time on the ball and are applying good pressure.

Boateng and Bassila fight for the ball after the whistle had gone, annoying the referee somewhat. No cards, though.

Breen makes a late run in to the far post; his header is blocked and falls to Caldwell, but he slices his shot high over the crossbar.

Boateng fouls Whitehead as the two tussle for the ball in a central area. Free-kick to Sunderland, around 40 yards out.

Bassila does better this time as he robs Viduka on the edge of the Sunderland penalty area.

Elliott is full of running up front for Sunderland; he is working very hard, sprinting in to the channels to give his midfield an option.

Sunderland haven't beaten Middlesbrough for over five years, though they have made a very bright start to this match. A win takes them off the bottom of the table.

Again, Bassila picks up a loose ball in a promising area, but his pass to a team-mate is mis-placed.

Arca fires a great cross in to the area, though Southgate rises high to flick clear with his head.

Breen is going to be a key figure for the visitors this afternoon; he is having to deal with some strong and powerful runs from Viduka and Yakubu.

Boro are making a decent fist of getting back in to the match after their early blow; it's shaping up to be a really good game.

Bassila wins the ball through the middle, but his pass in towards Elliott is much too heavy and Boro get back in numbers. A great chance to carve out a shooting opportunity, but his pass was awful.

Morrison has a shot blocked inside the area after Yakubu had broken free down the right channel. This has been a good spell for Boro.

The corner is flicked on towards Ehiogu at the back post, but instead of heading for goal, he tries to place a header back in to the six-yard box. Sunderland clear.

Pogatetz does well to overlap on the left, and his low cross in to the six-yard box earns his side a corner.

A Boro free-kick lofted in to the penalty area towards Ehiogu is dealt with well by Nosworthy at the back for the visitors.

Sunderland have made a great start to the game; they have bossed most of the possession and look calm and composed on the ball. Boro are struggling to get a foothold in the early stages.

Whitehead takes hold of the ball and attempts to push forward down the right-hand side; he wins his side a throw, deep in the Boro half.

Viduka works some space for himself inside the Sunderland penalty area, though his cross is easily cut out by Breen.

Eilliot manages a shot on goal as he just manages to get in front of his marker, though he turns his low cross a few yards wide of Jones' post.

The corner is dealt with well by Sunderland, who will be keen not to sit back on their lead and invite pressure on their defence.

Xavier chips a threatening ball in to the area towards Viduka, but Breen is tight on his man and heads over the bar. Corner.

McClaren doesn't look very pleased with the start his side have made; they have yet to get any decent possession or time on the ball.

Without wishing to state the obvious, that was just the start the visitors needed after their shocking recent run.

GOAL! Amazing start as Miller puts Sunderland a goal up. A long ball through the middle isn't dealt with by Boro, and Miller stabs the ball past Jones from just inside the area.

Lovely day in the north east of England; warm and sunny. There's a great atmosphere inside the stadium, too. We're set for a cracker.

Expect blood and thunder and, now that the Premiership is officially exciting again (TM Sky Sports television) who knows, we might even get a few goals as well.

Middlesbrough have had a mixed start to a season of great expectation whilst Sunderland are still looking for that elusive Premiership win. Getting it in their neighbours' back yard would do nicely for under pressure Mick McCarthy.

A very local barny gets the nation's attention at the Riverside this afternoon as North East bragging rights are up for grabs.