Sunderland suffered their third defeat of the Championship season as they lost 1-0 at Middlesbrough. Riley McGree scored the only goal of the game inside the opening half-hour, while at the other end the Black Cats offered little threat.
Ross Stewart picked up a thigh injury in the warm-up which meant he had to drop out at the last minute, and his absence was a massive blow. For new head coach Tony Mowbray, it was his first taste of defeat since taking charge, having won his first outing at home to Rotherham United last weekend.
Sunderland stay eighth in the table, while Boro climbed out of the relegation zone and up to 17th place.
READ MORE: Middlesbrough 1-0 Sunderland report as Tony Mowbray suffers defeat on his return to Teesside
Here's how our Sunderland AFC writer James Hunter rated the players.
Anthony Patterson 7
Made a string of saves to keep the score down and his side in the game
Luke O'Nien 5
Gave McGree a yard of space in the box for the goal, and it was all he needed
Danny Batth 7
Dominant in the air at the heart of defence
Dennis Cirkin 6
Found it tough going on the left side of the back three, before he went off injured
Lynden Gooch 5
Struggled against Giles
Corry Evans 6
Did OK in the centre of the park, but no more
Dan Neil 6
Kept the ball ticking over
Jack Clarke 5
No shortage of endeavour, but his final ball was terrible
Alex Pritchard 6
Had a good early chance but put it over the bar
Ellis Simms 6
Had to lead the line in the absence of Stewart but rarely threatened
Patrick Roberts 5
A last-minute change when Stewart dropped out, but made little impression
Subs
Amad Diallo 6
For Roberts 68mins. Made his debut and will get better with more minutes
Elliot Embleton 6
For Pritchard 68mins. Came up with Sunderland's only meaningful shot on target, but Roberts made the save
Bailey Wright N/A
For Cirkin 75mins.
Leon Dajaku N/A
For Gooch 75mins.
Not used: Bass, Matete, Alese
Read next:
- Mark Venus profiled as long-term assistant joins Tony Mowbray at Sunderland
- Tony Mowbray hoping to extend Riverside record with Sunderland on return to Middlesbrough
- Chris Wilder on preparing for 'full tilt' Sunderland and Tony Mowbray's Boro reunion
- Sunderland striker Ross Stewart a January transfer target for Blackburn if Ben Brereton Diaz is sold
- Sunderland to step up contract talks with Ross Stewart now transfer window has shut
