Sunderland grab Boro win

Sunderland earned the bragging rights to the Tyne-Tees derby after a well earned 3-2 victory over Middlesbrough to secure Premiership survival for the Black Cats and Roy Keane.

In a blistering opening, Boro took the lead after just four minutes as Brazilian forward Afonso Alves split the home defence with a superb throughball and Tuncay raced through to fire past keeper Craig Gordon.

Six minutes later it was 1-1 as Danny Collins crossed for Higginbotham to head home.

Sunderland went in front just before the interval when Chopra ran on to Liam Miller’s throughball and rounded David Wheater.

Boro drew level with 17 minutes as Afonso Alves slotted home a Julio Arca strike

Pogatetz headed past his own keeper from Grant Leadbitter’s corner in injury time to give Sunderland the bragging rights and the victory.