Sunderland ready for first derby of the season

Middlesbrough will enjoy their first Premier League road trip in eight years on Sunday, but the journey will only be a short one up the A19 to face neighbours Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland’s captain John O’Shea withdrew from the game on the 35 minutes, as the hosts struggled to find an equalizer.

An improved second-half display threatened to earn them a point, but Boro held on to consign David Moyes’ men to another defeat.

Jermain Defoe was surprisingly static during yesterday’s game.

The stats speak for themselves.

In Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City league debut, Sunderland very almost played the roles of spoilers, with Jermain Defoe leading the way.

I realise that Lee Cattermole, who is exactly the kind of on-pitch leader Sunderland were missing, is out injured at the moment. It is to Moyes’ credit that they nearly claimed a point against Manchester City but, while the scoreline was the same on Sunday and the Wearsiders won the second half, the result provided a clearer indication of the scale of his task. The right-back Donald Love looked particularly vulnerable to pace, getting himself into poor positions and beaten easily by both Stewart Downing and George Friend.

The Uruguay worldwide netted perhaps the most crucial goal for Aitor Karanka’s promotion-winning side last season, his strike against Brighton on the final day of the season ensuring that the Teesiders went up at the expense of Chris Hughton’s team. Subs. Pienaar 6, Lens 7, Asoro 6.

All promoted clubs come up to the Premier League knowing that their priority is to merely stay in the top flight, but Middlesbrough’s ambition and success in the transfer market suggests that they have the raw tools available to avoid the drop.

But the Uruguayan took full advantage when he took aim from distance and sent a dipping shot over the astonished Vito Mannone and into the top corner. On the flip-side, they are a team which has plenty to offer going forward and the late flurry of activity in front of the United goal did see them pull one back and then threaten a second.

Wayne Rooney celebrating his goal against Bournemouth last Sunday.

And, on 70 mins a great strike from Watmore, again on the counter, could only be parried by Guzan and van Aanholt followed up smartly to slot home.

Sunderland in the first round played away against Manchester City and lost with the minimum delay of 2: 1.

Ayala, 25, did not feature in any of Boro’s pre-season friendlies due to an ankle injury that kept him out of the 1-1 home draw against Stoke on the opening day and boss Aitor Karanka was forced to play Antonio Barragan, bought in the summer from Valencia primarily as a right-back, in central defence.