Sunderland left it late to seal their first home victory of the season with a 2 – 0 win over Middlesbrough. A brace from the returning Michael Chopra was enough to send the smog monsters back down the A19 with nowt though the score line could have been different had Stewart Downing not skied a second half penalty when the scores were level.

Keano made no changes to the side that gained a point at Wigan last Saturday whilst for Boro Mido was initially included in the starting eleven but was replaced just before kick off by Alves. Reports that the Egyptian was seen in the Bridges at 3:10pm scoffing a Greggs steak bake can neither be confirmed nor denied. Julio failed to make the starting eleven but was on the bench. Former loan winger Stewart Downing did make the Boro team but former loan full back Justin Hoyte started alongside Julio on the bench.

The lads started on the back foot with Boro’s passing quicker and slicker. I wasn’t overly concerned with this though as Boro seem to be making a habit of it this season. By all accounts they played well at both Anfield and Fratton Park before losing to late goals.

The best chance for Boro fell midway through the first half to ex-Sunderland loan star Stewart Downing. Sunderland had conceded a free kick on the edge of the area and though Alves’ shot was cleared by the wall, the rebound fell to Downing who let fly with a thunderbolt which Craig Gordon did well to turn over.

We carved a good chance soon after when Malbranque crossed for Cisse but Boro keeper Ross Turnbull tipped the Frenchman’s header wide. Cisse was judged to be offside anyway but the Boro keeper wasn’t to know and his save was to be the first of a string of excellent saves to deny Sunderland.

Turnbull was at it again towards the end of the first half when Cisse was found in the box by Malbranque. He slipped as he shot though and the Boro keeper did enough to smother the danger. Not to be outdone, his opposite number Craig Gordon made a fine stop from Alfonso Alves. Sunderland were carved open at the back but the Brazilian's shot was blocked well by Gordon.

Just before half time I noticed Chopra get the nod to come on. At first I thought Cisse was struggling but it turned out it was in fact Tainio who was hurt after a heavy challenge. He left rubbing his shoulder so let’s hope he’s not out for too long as he was efficient and tidy mopping up the midfield.

It was no surprise to see a Sunderland player leave injured due to the heavy handed tactics of Boro. I’m sure if I was to go into a nightclub tonight and start a fight I would be ejected more tenderly by the door staff compared to the treatment Wheater and co. were handing out.

We started better in the second half than we did the first with Chimbonda keen to get forward down the right hand side. The game was fairly open with both teams getting stuck in but clear opportunities were few and far between.

Our best chance fell to Cisse when Ross Turnbull seemed to drop the ball under no pressure. Despite the keeper being caught in no man’s land Wheater managed to get back and block Cisse’s shot. With twenty minutes to go Keano made a double change with Murphy and Reid replacing Cisse and Diouf.

Then a crucial decision in the game by referee Howard Webb looked to have swung the match in Boro’s favour. After Dean Whitehead needlessly lost comfortable possession Alliadiere went into the box, went past Nos, before tumbling over. The official pointed to the spot despite no indication of a foul from the linesman who was much nearer the alleged infringement. Maybe he’s a Mackem now after his short loan spell or maybe it was the fresh air in Wearside but Downing’s penalty can only be compared to Chris Waddle’s in Italia 90 as it rocketed towards the South Stand, row 42.

Sunderland immediately looked to counter and had the ball in the back of the net courtesy of Whitehead but it was ruled offside. However we took the lead on 80 minutes when Chopra found space in the box, latching onto a great through ball by Richardson before slotting past Turnbull.

Boro did press Sunderland back late on but the closest they came was Downing’s tantalising cross which evaded everyone in the box.

Chopra sealed all three points at the death when Malbranque squared him the ball for an easy tap in. The lads deserved all three points as to be honest this was the type of game we may have lost last season. Fairly even, but we took our chances and they didn’t.

Final Score: Sunderland 2 Boro 0

ALS Man of the Match: Michael Chopra

Aidan Crowe

ALS Books click here