Boro on rise as McGree seals derby win
CHRIS WILDER got the lift he so desperately craved last night as Middlesbrough edged out Tony Mowbray’s Sunderland at a frenzied Riverside.
Wilder had seen his men win just one of their opening seven Championship games and pressure had started to mount on the former Sheffield United boss.
But Australia midfielder Riley McGree scored a delightful goal in the 25th minute and from there Boro did not look back, securing a win that lifted them out of the relegation zone.
It was a first defeat in his second game in charge for new Sunderland boss Mowbray, a legendary former centre-half and captain who spilled blood during 350 appearances for Middlesbrough.
Perhaps it needed a North East derby under the lights to finally stir Boro into life this season. Having looked anything but promotion aspirants during their dreadful start, Wilder and his players seemed invigorated by the raucous atmosphere.
It was the first league meeting between the rivals since 2018 and the noise from a near-capacity crowd said much for what was at stake. Midway through the first half, a freekick by Jonny Howson was parried by Anthony Patterson and, when Ryan Giles sent the ball back into the box, McGree’s left-foot strike bounced over the bar.
But McGree was soon celebrating as he seized on an exquisite pass from Giles, finding space between Danny Batth and Luke O’Nien before drilling a low shot through Patterson’s legs.
Sunderland saw claims for a penalty waved away on the stroke of half-time when Howson appeared to fell Patrick Roberts.
The hosts had chances to make the game safe but Patterson produced a brilliant save to keep out Rodrigo Muniz’s close-range header.