A below-par Sunderland succumbed to their second defeat in a row against Middlesbrough in the Wear-Tees derby.
The Black Cats started the game on the front foot, pressing well and putting pressure on the visitors – only for Cristhian Stuani to put the Smoggies in front after scoring a 25-yard wonder goal inside 15 minutes.
Sunderland responded well but couldn’t find a breakthrough, only to fade as the half wore on. Stuani scored a scrappy second from point-blank range after woeful defending allowed Negredo to break through and set up the Uruguayan just before half time.
David Moyes gave full débuts to Paddy McNair and Adnan Januzaj, whilst Papy Djilobodji made his Premier League and Sunderland début alongside club captain John O’Shea at the back.
It turned out to be a disastrous day for McNair, who played poorly and was taken off at the break for Jeremain Lens. The switch worked well, with Sunderland looking strong after the change.
Duncan Watmore’s powerful drive was spilled by Brad Guzan in the 71st minute, allowing Patrick van Aanholt to halve the deficit. Sunderland, though, could not find a way through.
As if losing a derby and being rooted to the lower end of the table wasn’t bad enough for Moyes, his injury crisis deepened in the first 45 when O’Shea limped off. He was replaced by another débutant – Steven Pienaar – whilst Jack Rodwell moved into the centre back role. The Englishman performed well after acclimatising to his new position, as did Pienaar on his first appearance at the club. Youngster Joel Asoro also came off the bench late on.
The Black Cats will be desperate to get their first win of the season against Shrewsbury Town in the EFL Cup on Wednesday, where a much-changed side could feature.
Sunderland Starting XI: Mannone, Love, O’Shea [c] (Pienaar 37), Djilobodji, van Aanholt, Rodwell, McNair (Lens 45), Januzaj, Gooch, Watmore (Asoro 81), Defoe
Substitutes: Pickford, J Robson, T Robson, Khazri, Lens, Pienaar, Asoro
Middlesbrough Starting XI: Guzan, Nsue (Ayala 83), Barragán, Gibson, Friend [c], Forshaw, Clayton, Stuani, Ramírez (Adomah 59), Downing, Negredo (Nugent 90+1)
Substitutes: Konstantopoulos, Ayala, Baptiste, de Sart, Adomah, Fischer, Nugent
Goals: Stuani (13, 45), van Aanholt (71)
Bookings: Clayton (26, Foul Play), Gooch (81, Foul Play)
Attendance: 43,515
