Middlesbrough 1 Sunderland 1: Highlights after Nazariy Rusyn goal and Marcus Forss opener
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Sunderland came from behind to draw 1-1 with Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium.
After a goalless first half, the hosts took the lead in the 61st minute after a short free-kick was eventually finished by Marcus Forss from inside the penalty area. Sunderland drew level with seven minutes remaining, though, when Nazariy Rusyn’s low effort from distance beat goalkeeper Tom Glover.
Here's how the game played out:
Middlesbrough vs Sunderland
7' Sunderland threatening
Now Sunderland apply some pressure after Ba did well to set up Hume on the right, whose low cross was turned behind by Engel.
Sunderland weren't able to capitalise from a couple of corners.
5' Important block from Hume
That was a neat move from Boro as Azaz played the ball forward for Greenwood. The forward's effort was blocked by Hume inside the Sunderland box.
2' How Sunderland have started
Like last week, Sunderland have started with Neil as the deeper midfielder with Ekwah and Bellingham ahead of him.
The visitors just won a free-kick in a decent position but Ekwah's effort went just over the bar.
What to make of those sides
So it's one change for Sunderland following last weekend's 3-1 win over Stoke.
New signing Leo Hjelde comes straight into the team as Jenson Seelt drops to the bench New signing Romaine Mundle is named in the squad, with Patrick Roberts and Adil Aouchiche back on the bench, along with academy player Caden Kelly.
Middlesbrough have made three changes following their defeat against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup last time out, with Luke Ayling, Finn Azaz and former Sunderland players Sam Greenwood coming back into the starting XI.
Predicted line-ups
Here are our predicted line-ups for today's match:
Predicted Middlesbrough XI: Glover, Ayling, Fry, Clarke, Engel, Howson, Hackney, Forss, Azaz, Greenwood, Coburn
Predicted Sunderland XI: Patterson, Hume, Ballard, O'Nien, Hjelde, Neil, Ekwah, Ba, Bellingham, Clarke, Burstow
Carrick on Sunderland and Beale
Here's what Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick had to say when asked about Sunderland and Beale.
“Obviously they’ve got good players, a lot of younger players and are a hugely-talented team. You can see he’s come in and tweaked a couple of things, changed a couple of things as you’d expect. I’ve watched a number of their games now, it was a big result for them last week and they played really well. We know what we’re up against for sure so it will be a big test.”
How Middlesbrough are shaping up
Middlesbrough's last game ended in a 6-1 defeat at Chelsea in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final at Stamford Bridge. Michael Carrick's side didn't play last weekend as scheduled opponents Birmingham were still involved in the FA Cup.
Boro start the day in 12th but are just three points behind Sunderland, having taken 13 points from their last seven league games.
The hosts will be without several players due to injuries, though, with full-back Alex Bangura (hamstring), winger Isaiah Jones (hamstring), striker Emmanuel Latte Lath (ankle) and goalkeeper Seny Dieng (thigh) among the players unavailable.
Beale on Middlesbrough
Here's what the Sunderland boss had to say when asked about today's opponents.
"It's an excellent game. If you look at the last six games in the league and the form we're fifth and they are sixth. It's two teams riding high with the same ambition.
"We know what happened in the home game so there is an element of we want to perform well. We will need to as the away team against Middlesbrough who I think are a good team.
"I think Michael Carrick has started his management career well. In the last month at home they've played Aston Villa and narrowly lost and played Chelsea and won the game.
"That's a warning of how good they are are at home but I've seen areas that we can exploit. We will need to be at our best."
Team news
We'll start with the Sunderland team news.
Patrick Roberts (below) is set to return to the squad after missing the side's last four league games with a calf injury. New signings Romaine Mundle and Leo Hjelde are also set to be part of the matchday group and could make their debuts.
Callum Styles isn't set to feature after undergoing minor surgery earlier this month to remove his appendix. The midfielder should be able to return in the coming weeks.
Bradley Dack, Aji Alese, Dennis Cirkin, Corry Evans, Elliot Embleton and Corry Evans also remain sidelined with injuries.
Good Morning!
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Sunderland's Championship match against Middlesbrough at the Riverside.
Just three points separate the two sides ahead of the fixture, while a win would move the Black Cats back into the play-off places.
We'll have all the build-up ahead of the 12pm kick-off, as well as in-game analysis and post-match reaction.
Stick around and refresh the page for live updates.
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