On this day in 2008, Sunderland defeated Middlesbrough at the SoL in a thoroughly entertaining win toward the end of the season.
We were coming off the back of a 2-0 defeat to the Mags, but a win against Boro would seal our Premier League survival. 45,000 fans were in attendance for such a huge game, and the pre-match atmosphere was spine-tingling.
The reverse fixture was a 2-2 draw at the Riverside, with Grant Leadbitter (of Sunderland at the time) and the late Liam Miller both scoring. An eventful game, and supporters at the SoL were not left disappointed either.
Former Black Cats Stewart Downing (on loan) and Julio Arca were starting for Gareth Southgate’s Middlesbrough, as well as future Sunderland captain Lee Cattermole.
Boro striker Tuncay capitalised on our static defending to find himself one-on-one with Craig Gordon, and got the visitors off on the right foot with a cool finish.
But merely minutes later, we were back level. Danny Higginbotham met Danny Collins’ excellent cross and headed the equaliser beyond Brad Jones in the Boro net. Was it the first time in Sunderland history when two defenders called Danny combined for a goal?
It was relief in the stands, as we’d been behind for just two minutes. Both teams kept attacking and both teams came close with a couple of shots that went just wide. The influential Tuncay almost headed a second in the 27th minute, but his effort was just inches wide after Stewart Downing supplied an inviting cross.
Michael Chopra had been making runs in behind the defence throughout the first half, and his effort was rewarded just before the break. He did well to beat David Wheater and blasted a left-footed effort in off the bar. 2-1 to Sunderland going into half time, after a pulsating first 45...
The game slowed down slightly in the second half, which suited us as we were edging closer to a vital three points. But Brazilian striker Alfonso Alves was lurking in the box, unmarked, and did just enough to beat Gordon. Higginbotham chased it, but couldn’t get there in time to clear it off the line.
We were drawing and, given the scores around the grounds, it looked like we would have to wait and secure survival another day. However, this was Roy Keane’s Sunderland. They had a never-give-up mentality and had scored numerous last-minute goals through the season.
We had a corner in injury time, Leadbitter’s corner was dangerous and a combination of super-sub Daryl Murphy and Boro’s Emanuel Pogatetz diverted the ball onto the crossbar and over the line. It was one of the most dramatic goals in the Stadium of Light’s relatively brief history, and 45,000 Sunderland fans celebrated in the ground as Sunderland would remain in the Premier League for another year!
After the game, Gareth Southgate said: "It was cruel to lose a late goal but I can't fault the effort of the players today. Mistakes have cost us and we're disappointed but we have two home games left so we'll lift ourselves again. It's hard to lose a local derby but I've got a great group of players - this setback will make us stronger."
Roy Keane said: "It was a cracking game, which summed up our season. We've scored great goals this season and with the players we have we'll always be likely to score late on. We've had many setbacks - we showed the desire needed here today and you always get your rewards in football."
