Not so long ago Isaiah Jones slipped out of the first-team picture at Middlesbrough after requiring medical care to address mental health issues. There were fears that the gifted one-time Tooting & Mitcham right winger may slide back into non-league football but Michael Carrick never gave up on his talent and the Middlesbrough manager’s faith was fully vindicated as Jones illuminated this Wear-Tees derby.
By the time he scored Boro’s third goal, Sunderland were undone and their hopes of securing a fifth win in six Championship games in tatters. Admittedly, it may have been very different had Dan Neil not been sent off somewhat contentiously, close to half-time but Boro’s fourth straight second-tier victory certainly suggested Carrick has accomplished quite a turn around after an appalling start to the season raised questions about his future. “I’m more than pleased,” he said. “We were ruthless.”
