Over the last 137 years Sunderland have played Middlesbrough 153 times and have secured 62 wins, 39 draws and 52 defeats. Here are some of the key results…
SUNDERLAND 4-2 MIDDLESBROUGH - DIVISION 1 - 1914
Firstly, let’s talk about this really high scoring clash between the two sides. Not to mention, referee Tom Kirkham for some reason blew the final whistle with 13 minutes still to play, so the game had to restart! On the 24th of January 1914, Robert Kyle’s Lads were gearing up to take on Tom McIntosh’s Boro. Middlesbrough opened the score sheet in the 34th minute, George Elliott scored the goal. The Black Cats went into half time 0-1 down, and a response was needed in the second half. John Connor equalised in the 48th minute, and George Holley put the Lads 2-1 up in the 60th minute. Sunderland’s onslaught continued when John Connor made it 3-1 in the 68th minute. George Elliott pulled one back for Middlesbrough two minutes later, but it wasn’t enough to inspire a comeback. Jackie Mordue put the nail in Boro’s coffin when he scored the winner in the 85th minute. The game ended 4-2 and Robert Kyle’s side secured the three points.
MIDDLESBROUGH 0-4 SUNDERLAND - DIVISION 1 - 1933
This was a massive victory for the Lads. It was the 2nd of December 1933, and Johnny Cochrane’s Lads travelled to Ayresome Park to take on Peter McWilliam’s Middlesbrough. Patsy Gallacher put Sunderland 1-0 up in the 7th minute, he scored again to make it 2-0 six minutes later. Gallacher wasn’t done yet, because he secured his hat trick in the 20th minute. The first half finished 3-0, and Cochrane’s side were comfortably in front. The second half started slowly, but Sunderland legend Raich Carter scored the fourth in the 73rd minute. The goal put the game out of Boro’s reach, and the Black Cats secured three points.
MIDDLESBROUGH 5-5 SUNDERLAND - DIVISION 1 - 1936
This has to be one of the most dramatic games of all time. On the 17th of October 1936, Johnny Cochrane’s RAWA travelled to Ayresome Park to face Wilf Gillow’s Boro. Middlesbrough came out of the blocks flying, when George Camsell put them 1-0 up in the fourth minute. Tim Coleman scored the second in the 6th minute, and everything was pointing towards a Boro win. Despite this, Len Duns pulled one back for Sunderland in the 15th minute and the comeback was on. George Camsell made it 3-1 to Middlesbrough six minutes later. That was followed up by a Sunderland onslaught, Bobby Gurney pulled one back in the 29th minute and Len Duns secured his brace two minutes later. However, the Lads were not done because Jimmy Connor made it 4-3 to Sunderland in the 40th minute. Despite being 2-0 down in the first six minutes, Cochrane’s Lads went into halftime on top. The second half began and Raich Carter made it 5-3 in the 47th minute. In an ordinary game Sunderland would take the three points, but this was no ordinary game. Camsell completed his hat trick in the 51st minute, and Boro were back in it. Ralph Birkett equalised in the 64th minute, and the game finished 5-5. Needless to say this was one for the history books.
SUNDERLAND 3-2 MIDDLESBROUGH - PREMIER LEAGUE - 2008
Surprisingly this game featured a lot of former and future players for both clubs, with Lee Cattermole, Julio Arca and Adam Johnson all playing for Middlesbrough whilst Grant Leadbitter and Dean Whitehead were playing for the Lads. It just goes to show that many players have played for both Sunderland and Boro. It was the 26th of April 2008, and Roy Keane’s Sunderland were hosting Gareth Southgate's Middlesbrough. Tuncay Sanli opened up the scoresheet for Middlesbrough, they went 1-0 up in the fourth minute. However, Danny Higginbotham equalised two minutes later and the Black Cats were level. Michael Chopra made it 2-1 right on the brink of half time, and the Lads went into the break 2-1 up. Alfonso Alves equalised in the 73rd minute, and it was game on. But late drama was still to come, because super sub Daryl Murphy made it 3-2 in the 90th minute, and Sunderland won the game. A big three points for Roy Keane’s men.
SUNDERLAND 3-3 MIDDLESBROUGH - EFL CHAMPIONSHIP - 2018
Keeping on the lines of drama, this match was full of it. On the 24th of February 2018, Chris Coleman’s Sunderland hosted Tony Pulis’ Boro at the Stadium of Light. Joel Asoro made it 1-0 to the Black Cats in the 11th minute, and things were looking good. That’s until Chelsea loanee Jake Clarke-Salter tried to snap Adama Traore in half on the halfway line, and received a red card. The Lads went into halftime 1-0 up with 10 men. The drama continued into the second half when Bryan Oviedo got Adama Traore sent off, by making his hand hit him in the face. I know, it was crazy and if you didn't see the incident it's hard to explain what actually happened. Patrick Bamford equalised in the 49th minute, and Boro were level. A Lee Camp error (surprise) led to a penalty, it was converted by none other than Grant Leadbitter. Jonny Williams made it 2-2 in the 58th minute, then Patrick Bamford scored his second to make it 3-2 in the 68th minute. The game ended with late drama, Callum McManaman scored from a corner in the 90th minute. The game ended 3-3, and it was a welcome point for Chris Coleman’s men.
SUNDERLAND 2-0 MIDDLESBROUGH - EFL CHAMPIONSHIP - 2023
Mowbray's first game against the Teesiders for us, we came out 2-0 winners in an exciting game that involved a penalty and a red card. Ross Stewart got us off the mark when he charged forward, despite being dragged back by Dael Fry before he cleverly chose to go down once he reached the box. Fry was immediately dismissed for a foul on the last man and a penalty was awarded. Stewart took the penalty, which was saved by Zack Steffen but he was unable to keep the rebound out which Stewart calmly tapped home. With ten minutes of regular time remaining, Patrick Roberts laid the ball off to Amad Diallo in the box and he found the net using his left foot to put the game beyond the reach of ten man Boro.
SUNDERLAND 0-4 MIDDLESBROUGH - EFL CHAMPIONSHIP - 2023
Sorry, but this game has to be mentioned. I'll try to keep it brief. It was goalless at half-time, when Dan Neil was sent off incredulously for dissent. We failed to adapt with ten men and were far too open. Sam Greenwood, Matt Crooks, Isaiah Jones and Marcus Forss ensured it was a depressing day for us. End of story.
MIDDLESBROUGH 1-1 SUNDERLAND - EFL CHAMPIONSHIP - 2024
Last time we played Boro, Michael Beale was our manager and we managed to salvage a good point away from home. It's also worth noting that this was Leo Hjelde's debut and he looked really promising. Finn Azaz missed an early chance for them when he skied an open goal, and also in the first half Abdoullah Ba's shot was blocked on the line when he decided to side-foot his shot instead of blasting it into the net. On the hour mark, we failed to deal with their free kick routine which fell to Marcus Forss, and the Finnish forward lashed a shot into the far corner. However, late in the game Jack Clarke (our main threat in the game, and of course all season) picked out super sub Nazariy Rusyn in space. The Ukrainian's first touch wasn't great, and the ball bobbled up in front of him, and in all honesty his shot was kind of scuffed, but it caught out their keeper Glover who spilled the effort into the net. The scenes in the away end were brilliant as we'd managed to secure a rare draw at the Riverside, which was made even sweeter by the fact we'd been really poor and really stole the point at the end!
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