Sunderland 3 Middlesbrough 2
Roy Keane’s men show their fighting spirit as they beat local rivals with both teams in the relegation battle.The match had great importance for both teams here with both teams on 36 points and lingering just above the drop zone. The game began with a super high tempo and it took just 4 minutes for the first goal to be scored. Tuncay’s left footed strike put the visitors in front but then on 6 minutes Danny Higginbotham headed in a long cross to level up the tie. Sunderland edged in front on the stroke of half time with a goal from Michael Chopra.
In the second half the game was played at the same high tempo and showed all of the spirit of a local derby. In the 73rd minute Afonso Alves pulled the away side level. 2-2 seemed like a fair result with both sides giving a good account of themselves but Sunderland had that extra bit of fighting spirit instilled by their manager and pushed for the winner. The goal came in injury time when Emanuel Pogatetz headed the ball into his own net.
The win today for Sunderland confirms their Premiership status for next season.
Final score Sunderland 3 Middlesbrough 2.