Sunderland 1 Middlesbrough 2
Van Aanholt 71 Stuani 13 45
Boro recorded their first victory of the new Premier League
season with a 2-1 win away at local rivals Sunderland.
Cristhian Stuani struck twice before half time, as Aitor
Karanka’s men were assured at the back and kept possession well in an
impressive 45-minutes spell.
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| Christian Stuani celebrates his opening goal (Picture from Sky Sports) |
An injury hit Sunderland side did manage to force a nervy
finish, when full back Patrick van Aanholt halved the deficit with 20 minutes
to go. However, Boro held on to escape with all three points.
Karanka sprung a couple of surprises when the team sheet was
released, not least in goal where Brad Guzan made his debut by replacing Victor
Valdes who was nursing a hamstring injury.
Jordan Rhodes didn’t feature against Stoke, but that fact
that his name wasn’t even included on the subs bench left immediate questions
about future at the club.
Stuani’s selection ahead of Adomah on the right may also
have raised a few eyebrows. However, Karanka’s decision which was quickly
justified.
On 13 minutes the Uruguayan forward received the ball on a
Boro counter attack and galloped towards the edge of the Sunderland penalty
area, where he had time to assess his options.
Still a tackle didn’t come, so after a quick glance up Stuani
tried his luck. From there he drilled the ball high into the top corner of the
net with a fine strike, leaving keeper Vito Mannone with no chance.
Prior to Boro’s opener, Sunderland had started the better
side and looked particularly threatening down the right where Adnan Januzaj was
causing problems.
Yet, the opening goal settled Boro and they began to move
the ball efficiently through midfield, with Adam Forshaw particularly catching
the eye.
Sunderland weren’t helped by an injury to their captain John
O’Shea, who joined their endless injury list midway through the first half and
was replaced by new signing Steven Pienaar.
That meant a defensive re-shuffle for the hosts and Boro
took full advantage on the stroke of half time.
A well-weighted pass from Forshaw found Alvaro Negredo in
the penalty area and after some clever hold up play the Spanish striker found
Stuani who was left with a tap in.
Sunderland responded after the interval, as manager David
Moyes replaced defender Paddy McNair with the significantly more offensive Jeremain
Lens.
Boro defended well but once again they were guilty of
dropping too deep and allowing the opposition to take control, like on the
opening weekend against Stoke.
The visitors had Guzan to thank when he made an instinctive
save to deny Van Aarnholt low down, however the Boro keeper should have done
better moments later.
Duncan Watmore took a long range shot, which Guzan could
only spill in front on him, and Van Aarnholt slid home the rebound.
That set up a grandstand finish and Sunderland came close to
equalising when Jermaine Defoe’s close range effort was blocked by Ben Gibson.
Boro hung on, though, and claimed their first three points
of the campaign.
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