Sunderland welcomed Middlesbrough to the Stadium of Light in the Tees-Wear derby on Sunday afternoon.
A first-half double from Cristhian Stuani saw the away side take a two-goal lead into the half-time break.
Sunderland improved in the second period and had one back through Patrick van Aanholt in the 71st minute, but the away side held on to continue their unbeaten start to the new Premier League season.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
12.31pmAfternoon all! Sports Mole's live Premier League coverage for the 2016-17 campaign continues from the Stadium of Light as Sunderland welcome Middlesbrough in the Tees-Wear derby. Simply put, these two clubs do not like each other and it should be a fascinating contest in the North East!
12.34pmIn total, Sunderland and Middlesbrough have met on 142 occasions and it is Sunderland that lead the head-to-head 61 victories to Middlesbrough's 44. It is a rivalry that dates back to November 1887, when the pair played out a 2-2 draw in the FA Cup. Their first ever league match then occurred in League Division One in December 1902, with Sunderland recording a 1-0 victory at the home of their rivals.
12.37pmTheir last meeting came in the League Cup in October 2012, when Middlesbrough recorded a 1-0 victory at the Stadium of Light. They have not actually met in the Premier League since January 2009 though, when the points were shared in a 1-1 draw at the Riverside. The last league clash between the pair in this particular stadium brought a 2-0 Sunderland victory in September 2008.
12.40pmRight, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the Stadium of Light. Who have David Moyes and Aitor Karanka selected for this Tees-Wear derby? Let's take a look shall we!
12.43pmTEAMS!
SUN: Mannone; Love, O'Shea, McNair, Djiliobodji; Van Aanholt, Rodwell, Gooch, Watmore, Januzaj; Defoe
BORO: Guzan; Nsue, Barragan, Gibson, Friend; Clayton, Forshaw; Stuani, Ramirez, Downing; Negredo
12.46pmSunderland boss David Moyes has made three changes to the team that lost 2-1 at Manchester City last weekend, with summer signings Paddy McNair, Papy Djiliobodji and Adnan Januzaj replacing Lamine Kone, Younes Kaboul and Fabio Borini. There are also home Premier League debuts for Donald Love and Lynden Gooch in what is a very different team to the one that finished last season. Some things never change though and the evergreen Jermain Defoe leads the line once again.
© Getty Images
12.49pmAs for Middlesbrough, Victor Valdes and Jordan Rhodes have both been left out of the squad this afternoon, while Brad Guzan will make his Boro debut between the sticks. It is the same back four that started the 1-1 draw with Stoke City last weekend, but there are changes further forward as Adam Forshaw and Christian Stuani replace Albert Adomah and Martin de Roon. Adomah has dropped to the bench, while De Roon is out injured. Two similar formations on display this afternoon!
12.52pmSo there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just under 40 minutes from kickoff on this warm afternoon in the North East of England. As expected, the atmosphere is very much building around and indeed inside the stadium. I shall talk about Middlesbrough in the build-up to kickoff, but let's start with the hosts Sunderland, who are now under the leadership of David Moyes.
12.55pmIt came as somewhat of a shock when England poached Sam Allardyce from Sunderland, which left the Black Cats without a manager approaching the new season. Moyes was offered a route back into English football, however, and the Scot so nearly made an impressive start away to Man City last weekend.
Players head over to applaud the sold out away end 👏👏👏#redandwhitearmy pic.twitter.com/h28bBFWhLh
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) August 13, 2016
12.58pmSunderland were second best for long spells of their Premier League opener at the Etihad, but Jermain Defoe cancelled out a Sergio Aguero penalty in the 71st minute to leave the score at 1-1. It did appear that Moyes would take a point from his first game in charge, but new signing Paddy McNair scored a late own-goal to hand Man City all the points and devastate Sunderland in the process!
1.02pmSunderland supporters have had to get used to relegation battles in the last few seasons and the club only just survived once again last season – ending the campaign in 17th position. Money has been spent this summer though, with Djilobodji, McNair, Love and Januzaj (loan) all arriving. Moyes has a tough task at the Stadium of Light this season, but he is expected to bring in more new players before the end of the transfer window, especially with Kone and Younes Kaboul both heading for the exit.
1.05pmIn terms of what is ahead for Sunderland, the Black Cats will host Shrewsbury Town in the League Cup on Wednesday night, before travelling to Southampton in the Premier League next weekend. September then brings matches against Everton, Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace and you just get the feeling that the team need to make a positive start to the campaign.
1.08pm
Home debuts for @adnanjanuzaj,Paddy McNair, Donald Love and @papydjilo15 at the @StadiumOfLight today #SUNMID pic.twitter.com/nbMOM4eAkL
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) August 21, 2016
1.12pmMiddlesbrough, meanwhile, are back in the Premier League for the first time since the 2008-09 season, when they were relegated in 19th position. Since then, they have finished 11th, 12th, seventh, 16th, 12th and fourth in the Championship, before gaining promotion last season after finishing second behind the champions Burnley. It is nice to see this club back in the big time.
1.15pmIt has been a busy summer at the Riverside in terms of signings, with Marten de Roon, Viktor Fischer, Antonio Barragan, Victor Valdes, Gaston Ramirez, Bernardo Espinosa and Alvaro Negredo (loan) all arriving. It is a good time to be a Boro supporter as the club certainly seems to be moving in the right direction after a difficult last seven or eight years. Kickoff is now just 15 minutes away this afternoon!
1.18pmNew signing Negredo sent Boro into a 1-0 lead in their Premier League opener against Stoke City last weekend, but a brilliant Xherdan Shaqiri free kick in the second period saw the points shared in a 1-1 draw. It was an encouraging start for Karanka though and this afternoon they have the chance to get one over on a big rival, in terms of location and indeed in the Premier League table.
1.22pm
Our dressing room is ready... pic.twitter.com/wMosmPmg2h
— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) August 21, 2016
1.25pmIn terms of what is ahead for Middlesbrough, they will travel to Championship outfit Fulham in the League Cup on Wednesday night, before making the trip to West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League next weekend. September then brings league clashes with Crystal Palace, Everton and Tottenham in what will be a good test of the team's credentials for the 2016-17 campaign.
1.28pmA reminder of the two teams for this afternoon's clash...
SUN: Mannone, Love, O'Shea, McNair, Djiliobodji; Van Aanholt, Rodwell, Gooch, Watmore, Januzaj; Defoe
BORO: Guzan; Nsue, Barragan, Gibson, Friend; Clayton, Forshaw; Stuani, Ramirez, Downing; Negredo
0 minKICKOFF! Middlesbrough will kick things off at the Stadium of Light...
2 min... it must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium. Both sets of supporters, as expected, are really, really up for this one. It is not quite Sunderland against Newcastle, but these two clubs do not like each other and will be desperate to put one over on their rival here!
3 minNegredo has a problem for Middlesbrough here after clashing heads with Djilobodji.
4 minGood grief that was a horrible clash of heads after seeing the replay. Both men are back on their feet, which is good to see. Sunderland are the team making the early running and Januzaj does well to break into the Middlesbrough box, but the Belgian's delivery is straight into the arms of Guzan.
6 minAs expected, both teams are ferociously battling for possession of the ball at the moment and Sunderland appear first to every ball as Gooch and Watmore continue to fly into challenges!
8 minYou just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital in this type of match. Middlesbrough have set up pretty well, but Sunderland will be happier with their start here. No yellow cards, although we must be getting close as late tackles continue to occur here.
9 minHalf-chance for Sunderland as Gooch delivers a super cross towards Januzaj, but the attacker just cannot make contact at the far post. The home supporters like what they are seeing here.
11 minCHANCE! Januzaj finds Defoe with a super cross and the striker manages to turn inside the box before attempting to release a strike, but Barragan just about manages to clear behind!
13 minWe have not seen too much from Middlesbrough in the opening 13 minutes, but they have plenty of talent in the final third and Negredo will fancy his chances aerially against this Sunderland defence. There has been a wonderful tempo to this derby as strong but fair challenges continue to arrive.
13 minGOAL! Sunderland 0-1 Middlesbrough (Stuani)
14 minOh my word what a goal! Stunning from Stuani as the Uruguay international works a yard of space outside the Sunderland box before striking one into the top corner. What an effort from Stuani!
16 minThis is all about character for Sunderland in the next five or 10 minutes. They were the better team in the opening 10 minutes, but Middlesbrough have grown in confidence since that opening goal.
18 minNegredo is providing the perfect focal point for Middlesbrough at the moment as the visitors continue to hit the big striker and work through him. The home supporters have just quietened in the last couple of minutes and it is the travelling fans that can be heard in the Stadium of Light.
21 minYou just get the feeling that Sunderland need to score the next goal in this match. Another Middlesbrough effort at this stage, or indeed before the interval, would make it very tough. Ramirez strikes one from distance as the visitors have another effort on target, but Mannone makes the stop.
23 minThe Sunderland supporters continue to drive their team forward, but Middlesbrough are happy to sit in and play on the counter-attack, which worked very well for the opening goal of the match.
25 minIt is super work from Januzaj as the attacker once again drives into the Middlesbrough box, but the Belgian cannot pick out a cross. Januzaj looks the one most likely for Sunderland, but Defoe has been very quiet in the opening 25 minutes. That said, Defoe only needs one sight of goal.
26 minBOOKING! Clayton (Middlesbrough) is booked for a late challenge on Januzaj.
28 minRodwell finds a yard of space outside the Middlesbrough box, but his effort was always high. Sunderland have had 60% of the possession in the last 10 minutes as they seek an equaliser here.
30 minDefoe finishes for Sunderland after breaking into the Middlesbrough box, but the Englishman was always in an offside position and the flag is raised. It has been a frustrating 30 minutes for Defoe, but as mentioned, he always seems to come up with the goods. His team need him this afternoon.
31 minNot an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes as Middlesbrough continue to sit deep and absorb the pressure. It is easy to see why Boro had such a strong defensive record during the 2016-17 campaign. Little under 15 minutes of the first period remaining here.
34 minThis is almost the perfect game for Middlesbrough at the moment as they allow Sunderland possession until the final third, when they nip in and launch a swift counter-attack. Negredo wins another corner for his team after Ramirez feeds the Spaniard with a ball into feet.
36 minSUNDERLAND SUB! O'Shea leaves the field injured and it is a Sunderland debut for Pienaar, who only penned a contract with the Black Cats last week. Some introduction for him!
38 minHalf-chance for the home side, but Djilobodji heads wide of the post after a corner had found the defender unmarked at the far post. Still 1-0 Middlesbrough with 38 minutes on the clock here.
41 minSunderland continue to pass and probe in the final third of the field, but they are struggling to create clear openings against a Middlesbrough team that are very, very well-drilled at the back.
43 minDowning uses his pace to race away for Middlesbrough in a wide position, but the former England international cannot find Stuani, who had made himself available in a central area. It is the perfect away performance from Karanka's side as they sit deep before breaking with pace and purpose.
45 minSuper work from Friend as the Middlesbrough left-back fools his marker in a wide position before picking out Negredo inside the Sunderland box, but McNair just about does enough to clear!
45 minGOAL! Sunderland 0-2 Middlesbrough (Stuani)
45 min+1What a super goal that is! Middlesbrough score their second of the match as Negredo settles inside the Sunderland box before rolling the ball into Stuani, who finishes into the back of the net. It was a wonderful pass from Forshaw to find Negredo and the Spaniard showed his international class.
45 min+3HALF-TIME: Sunderland 0-2 Middlesbrough
2.18pmWow, what a half from Middlesbrough. They have done a job on Sunderland there. The home side have had plenty of possession in the final third, but a double from Stuani sees the visitors lead 2-0 at the interval. Boos surrounded the Stadium of Light as the referee blew his half-time whistle.
2.23pmSTATISTICS! Middlesbrough had 59% of the possession in the first period, while they hit the target with three of their five attempts. Sunderland, meanwhile, failed to hit the target with any of their four attempts, which is an indication of their troubles. Just the one yellow card - Clayton for Middlesbrough.
2.28pmBENCH WATCH! Sunderland have already been forced into one change this afternoon, Pienaar replacing O'Shea, who limped off late in the first period. David Moyes, however, still has the likes of Khazri, Lens and Asoro on his bench. Middlesbrough, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Adomah, Nugent and Fischer, but Karanka will surely be delighted with his forward players at the moment.
2.32pm
HALF-TIME | #Boro lead @SunderlandAFC 2-0 at the Stadium of Light after two goals from @CristhianStuani! pic.twitter.com/TU3iJcDpvQ
— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) August 21, 2016
46 minRESTART! Sunderland resume the action at the Stadium of Light...
47 min... SUNDERLAND SUB! Lens has replaced McNair for Sunderland at the break.
48 minSunderland have, have to score the next goal in this match if they are to avoid defeat. Middlesbrough, however, will continue to sit deep and attempt to catch their rivals on the counter-attack, which has worked so well thus far. Karanka must be absolutely delighted with his team.
50 minYou just get the feeling that there are a couple more goals in this match. I am also surprised that there has only been one yellow card - expect that tally to rise in this second period!
51 minDefoe goes to ground inside the Middlesbrough box under a challenge from Barragan, but the referee is not interested. Good decision, Defoe was already heading to the deck there.
53 minNot too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments, but Sunderland are trying to force the issue in the final third. The problem is that Middlesbrough are so defensively sound.
56 minIn truth, there is not too much happening at the moment. Sunderland are having all the ball, but Middlesbrough are just to comfortable. Gooch did well to break to the edge of the Middlesbrough box, but the youngster's effort was blocked en route to goal. Still 2-0 to the visitors here.
58 minPienaar strikes wide of the post as Sunderland continue to huff and puff in the final third.
60 minMIDDLESBROUGH SUB! Adomah replaces Ramirez for the away team.
61 minSAVE! Wonderful save from the Middlesbrough goalkeeper as he pushes a low Van Aanholt effort wide of the post. Super work from Guzan, who has had so little to do on his debut!
62 minEnd-to-end football in the last couple of minutes as both teams threaten in the final third. Lens has the chance to strike from a wide area and his effort is deflected wide of the Middlesbrough post.
65 minMiddlesbrough just cannot get out of their own half at the moment and this is much, much better from Sunderland, who really need to hit back in the next few minutes. Januzaj and Lens are both dangerous in wide positions and as we know, Defoe does not need too many chances to score!
65 minBLOCK! Gibson is across to block Defoe's effort as the pressure continues!
66 minSunderland are huffing and puffing here. They have had 60% possession in the second period.
68 minMiddlesbrough are more than happy to sit deep and defend the edge of their own box, but Sunderland are now delivering quality into dangerous positions and you sense a goal is coming here!
70 minCHANCE! Negredo breaks through for Middlesbrough and has the chance to put this game to bed, but Mannone is out to make a strong claim and Sunderland survive a counter-attack.
71 minGOAL! Sunderland 1-2 Middlesbrough (Van Aanholt)
72 minGame on! Sunderland are back in this match as Van Aanholt fires home from close range after Guzan had parried a Watmore effort straight into the middle of the box. Game on here!
74 minMiddlesbrough are wobbling here! It is all Sunderland as they continue to deliver crosses into the away side's box and it appears that the equaliser will soon arrive. Sensational noise in this ground!
74 minSAVE! Guzan is down to keep out Januzaj's low strike!
77 minMiddlesbrough have just managed to stem the flow of pressure in the last couple of minutes, but there is still a lot of football to be played this afternoon and you sense that there is another goal in this!
79 minNo movement on the Middlesbrough bench, but for me, they need some more legs in the middle of the park. Sunderland boss David Moyes also has one more change if he wishes to alter things!
81 minSUNDERLAND SUB! Watmore is replaced by Asoro in the Sunderland attack.
82 minStill time for Sunderland, but Middlesbrough seem to have steadied the ship here.
82 minBOOKING! Gooch (Sunderland) is booked for a late challenge on Clayton.
83 minMIDDLESBROUGH SUB! Ayala replaces Nsue for the away team.
85 minMuch better from Middlesbrough in the last few minutes as they simply keep possession of the ball and Karanka will not mind too much as Clayton sends the ball into the stands, wasting more seconds. You just get the feeling that there is going to be one last big chance in this match.
88 minGibson turns behind and Sunderland are not finished here as they force a late corner...
88 min... super work from Friend as the Boro skipper gets up and wins a foul in the process.
90 minNot much to report in the last few moments as Middlesbrough keep hold of the ball.
90 min+1MIDDLESBROUGH SUB! Nugent replaces Negredo for the away team.
90 min+2We are into the second of three additional minutes here.
90 min+3Sunderland have put so much into this second period, but they cannot get the ball at the moment as Middlesbrough simply pass the seconds with possession of the ball. Time almost up here.
90 min+4FULL-TIME: Sunderland 1-2 Middlesbrough
3.23pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Middlesbrough running out 2-1 winners courtesy of a first-half brace from Stuani. Van Aanholt had one back for the home side in the 71st minute, but they could not find a second! That is just about it from me. Until next time!
