Boro sink Sunderland

Franck Queudrue celebrates after scoring on his debut

Middlesbrough 2-0 Sunderland

E-mail your reaction to Football Talk

Middlesbrough came out on top in the north-east derby as Steve McClaren's side survived the sending-off of Paul Ince to beat Sunderland 2-0.

Goals from debutant Frank Queudrue and Alen Boksic within the opening 21 minutes proved too much of a deficit for Sunderland to retrieve.

This even after Middlesbrough were reduced to 10 men after Ince was dismissed for putting his hands on Niall Quinn's face with 20 minutes to go.

We've made progress to climb up the table

Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren

Middlesbrough's third win of the season means Steve McClaren's side are now five points clear of the relegation zone.

Sunderland played more aggressively in the second-half but Middlesbrough's Mark Schwarzer made a number of excellent saves.

Quick off the mark

Within minutes of the restart, Schwarzer tipped over Michael Gray's powerful shot and then reacted sharply to save Jason McAteer's header.

Just before the hour Kevin Phillips unleashed a powerful long-range shot which Schwarzer was relieved to see swing away from the post at the last moment.

But the damage had already been done in the first half.

Jason McAteer consoles Paul Ince

Queudrue took less than two minutes to make his presence felt at the Riverside.

From Carlos Marinelli's corner the Frenchman was more aggressive to the ball than the Sunderland goalkeeper Thomas Sorenson and Queudrue's header looped over the line.

Middlesbrough doubled their advantage on 21 minutes when Alen Boksic headed home Szilard Nemeth's cross from the right.

Goal disallowed

The Croatian's effort took a deflection off the head of Jody Craddock en route to goal which deceived Sorenson.

Sunderland did the get the ball in the net in the first-half but Phillips' goal was disallowed because of an earlier infringement committed by Quinn.

We've gave ourselves too much to do early on

Sunderland manager Peter Reid

What chances Sunderland did have in that opening period invariably fell to the head of the Republic of Ireland international.

On three occasions Sunderland's debutant McAteer crossed from the right but Quinn was unable to deliver either the necessary accuracy or power.

When he did Schwarzer was there to make the save.

---

E-mail your reaction to Football Talk:
MIddlesbrough fans here | Sunderland fans here

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Stockdale, Ehiogu, Southgate, Queudrue, Greening, Mustoe, Ince, Marinelli, Nemeth, Boksic. Subs: Windass, Wilson, Crossley, Cooper, Johnston.

Sunderland: Sorensen, Haas, Craddock, Varga, Gray, Schwarz, McCann, McAteer, Arca, Quinn, Phillips. Subs: Thome, Laslandes, Bellion, Williams, Macho.

Referee: M Halsey (Welwyn Garden City)