Tony Mowbray suffered his first defeat as Sunderland boss against his former club Middlesbrough in the Tees-Wear derby at the Riverside Stadium.
Riley McGree scored what proved to be the winning goal for the hosts inside 25 minutes with his second goal of the season. Alex Pritchard fired an early chance over the crossbar, while Patrick Roberts had a penalty call turned down after going down in the box claiming he was tripped by Jonny Howson on the cusp of half-time.
Amad Diallo was introduced midway into the second half for his Sunderland debut but the Black Cats were unable to find an equaliser as Liam Roberts pushed Elliot Embleton's free-kick over the crossbar.
After missing out on the chance to climb into the play-offs, here is how Sunderland fans reacted to their third defeat of the league season.
READ MORE: Tony Mowbray forced into late change by an injury in warm-up as Sunderland take on Middlesbrough
@marcussbell Poor performance. Ref never helped but can't blame him for the horrific mistakes we made, completely different team unlike Boro. They deserve the win, Pritchard and Clarke had a shocking game. Patterson and Amad had a good game.
@seaneagle12 Never seen us play that sloppy for a long time.
@buff_egan Boro just wanted it more than us. Not bringing in another striker really cost us tonight. The team were just giving the ball away as soon as they get it because they only have one striker up front.
@Joseph_Thomps0n Some questionable subs tonight.
@SimmsSZN Worst thing about tonight is Ross Stewart's injury IMO.
@Kevsol Garbage performance that, got what we deserved, absolutely nothing. Look hopeless without Stewart. Too many of the fringe/squad players aren't good enough and offer us absolutely nothing.
@jig_safc Deserved absolutely nothing today. I must add, I've never had any player frustrate me as much as Clarke today.
@jamesSAFCmoore Clarke a brilliant player but awful tonight. Simms looked lost up front but at least never stopped. Passing was awful, Embleton not a game changer, Pritchard should have stayed on.
@Toward18 Better team won, hopefully that performance isn't a sign of things to come under Mowbray and hopefully Stewart isn't out for too long.
@hindsatron Worst performance I've seen in a while. It would seem without Rosco there's no confidence and very little threat going forward. BIG red flag. And Sims is as poor in the air as he is on the ground.
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
