MIDDLESBROUGH manager Gareth Southgate handed Gary O'Neil his first start for the club at the expense of captain George Boateng in today's Tees-Wear derby.
Sunderland were also forced to make one change to their side which overcame Reading last week. Nyron Nosworthy, ruled out with a knee injury, was replaced by Greg Halford at right-back.
And the Black Cats made the perfect start, claiming an early lead courtesy of Grant Leadbitter within 74 seconds of the first whistle.
MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-2): Schwarzer; Young, Woodgate, Wheater, Taylor; O'Neil, Arca, Rochemback, Downing;Tunçay,Mido. Subs: B Jones, Riggott, Boateng, Lee, Cattermole.
SUNDERLAND (4-4-2): Gordon; Halford, McShane, Higginbotham, Collins; Leadbitter, Etuhu, Yorke, Wallace; Chopra, K Jones. Subs: Ward, Harte, Stokes, Miller, O'Donovan.
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