TRAORE’S IN TROUBLE AGAIN
But Pulis defends winger after clash with Oviedo
MIDDLESBROUGH boss Tony Pulis leapt to the defence of Adama Traore over his sending-off for a clash with Bryan Oviedo in a stormy and absorbing WearTees derby.
Pulis claimed Traore’s push on Oviedo was provoked by a poke in the eye from the Sunderland left-back.
The Black Cats were also down to ten men after defender Jake Clarke-Salter was sent off for a reckless tackle on Traore, but substitute Callum McManaman snatched a point for them in the final minute of stoppage time.
Pulis said: “I was really disappointed with Adama’s red card. Oviedo walked round the side of him and put his hand around the side of his face, and Adama says he poked him in the eye – and you can see it.
“We’ll see what the authorities have to say about it, but I said to him afterwards that you can’t react whatever people do to you. Let’s just hope and pray that people look at it and see what Oviedo has done.’’
Pulis had words with McManaman after the winger raced down the touchline in front of the Boro boss, who discarded him when he was at West Brom, to celebrate his goal.
“He was disappointed when he was at West Brom because I didn’t pick him,’’ said Pulis. “Now he’s here and they don’t pick him! I understand the boy is very frustrated. It was just a bit of banter between us at the end.’’
Joel Asoro handed Sunderland an early lead, but the home side were a man down after ClarkeSalter walked in the 24th minute when referee Tim Robinson showed a straight red.
It was Traore who saw red in every sense when he was dismissed in the 38th minute after pushing Oviedo in the face in the goalmouth. He faces a four-match ban and possible further action for his demented protests against the decision.
Boro turned the game on its head after the break when Patrick Bamford scored the first of his two and skipper Grant Leadbitter tucked away a penalty in the space of three minutes.
Sunderland levelled through substitute Jonny Williams, but
Bamford completed his brace and Boro were poised to make it six straight wins against their rivals in all competitions until McManaman struck when he volleyed in Oviedo’s corner.
Asoro, still only 18, scored in the 11th minute. Adam Matthews’ right-wing throw-in was flicked on by Josh Maja and Ryan Shotton’s header dropped to Asoro, who prodded home on the volley from close range.
But Clarke-Salter’s rash challenge on Traore sent the Boro winger cartwheeling and the referee was left with little option. Traore wouldn’t go quietly when he was given his marching orders, remonstrating furiously and being held back from confronting the fourth official before shoving a colleague.
Bamford changed the mood for Boro when, with his back to goal, he turned almost Diego Maradona-style to fire home in the 49th minute. Goalkeeper Lee Camp then brought down Britt Assombalonga and Sunderland fan Leadbitter slotted in the penalty before racing to the spot on the touchline where his father’s ashes are buried.
Oviedo crossed for Williams to finish first time in the 58th minute, but Boro regained the lead ten minutes later when Mo Besic slid the ball through for Bamford to cleverly flick it up wide of Camp and clip home.
But McManaman came to Sunderland’s rescue and Coleman said: “I didn’t know the history between him and Tony from West Brom. I thought he was running to me – and I got blanked!
“With their red card, Bryan’s got his arm around his shoulder, but to poke him in the eye his arms need to be really long.”