Ryan Giles scores an own goal as Sunderland win at MiddlesbroughRex Features

Sunderland last did the league double over Middlesbrough in 1961/62

Adam Lanigan at Riverside Stadium
BBC Sport England

Sunderland completed a league double over Middlesbrough for the first time in 63 years as they won a thrilling Tees-Wear derby.

In a match that went one way and then the other, Boro went ahead early through Delano Burgzorg before captain Dan Neil's deflected strike brought the visitors level by half-time.

Wilson Isidor's 10th Sunderland goal put them ahead within six minutes of the second half, but Hayden Hackney's piledriver brought Michael Carrick's side level just before the hour mark.

Both sides had chances as they pushed for a third goal but the Black Cats got the winner when Ryan Giles turned Enzo le Fee's cross past his own goalkeeper.

Regis le Bris' side stay fourth, but are now level with third-placed Burnley and just three points behind Sheffield United in second as the race for promotion hots up.

Boro remain seventh, just outside the play-off places on goal difference, after a busy day in the transfer market.

That business was evident in their selection as there were five alterations from the loss at Preston North End.

Morgan Whittaker and Mark Travers made their debuts, Giles was in for his first start in his second spell and George Edmundson was back after completing a permanent move from Ipswich Town.

There was even a place on the bench for Samuel Iling-Junior, who only joined on loan from Aston Villa hours before kick-off.

And just as the teams were waiting to begin, former Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho was unveiled on the pitch following his loan move from Spanish giants Sevilla.

But while the Teessiders have rolled the dice to get their season back on track, their rivals from up the A19 had just one change with influential teenager Chris Rigg back in the starting line-up, a sign of a smoother passage in their season thus far.

Despite the shuffling of their pack, the home side made a blistering start and Anthony Patterson had already made a good save from Marcus Forss' header before he was beaten by Burgzorg.

His finish was cool, but it owed even more to a superb through ball from Hackney that split both of Sunderland's centre-halves.

The midfielder, supposedly subject to late deadline day interest from Porto, showed what the fuss was about with a barnstorming run forward before putting a chance on a plate for Forss. But leaning back, the Finland forward skied his effort when he should have put his side two up.

Apart from a Chris Mepham header that Travers saved well, the Black Cats had looked rattled until Neil conjured an equaliser, the captain finding the net from outside the box via a huge deflection off Edmundson's chest.

Wilson Isidor goes past Mark Travers to scoreRex Features

Wilson Isidor is Sunderland's top scorer with 10 goals this season

The second half continued in the same vein and the visitors only needed six minutes to turn the scoreline in their favour as Le Fee set Isidor free and he walked round Travers to score his 10th of the season and first since sealing a permanent move from Zenit St Petersburg.

A teasing cross from Patrick Roberts missed both Jobe Bellingham and Isidor in the box as the Black Cats looked to take control, but Boro hit back.

Bellingham lost possession in his own half to Aidan Morris and Hackney rifled in a low drive from outside the box - a local Boro lad matching Neil's contribution in the first half.

Forss had a goalbound effort well blocked by Mepham while Travers made a fine save to deny Isidor a second as both sides pushed for a winner.

But the decisive moment arrived three minutes from time, a combination of skill and luck. The skill came from Le Fee's outstanding touch that opened up the chance for a cross, which the unfortunate Giles turned past his new goalkeeper at the back post.

'We had to play with more passion' - Le Bris

Middlesbrough head coach Michael Carrick said:

"It's a horrible way to lose a game, especially a game of this significance and stature.

"To lose the game and concede those goals, an own goal and a deflection is difficult but we have to accept it.

"We started the game ever so well, went ahead, looked like we could add to that and were in a really good place. There was a two-goal swing which we dealt with well and we came back into it well, but we kind of drifted second half and didn't do enough.

"The form is not a concern, but we have to win games, there's no getting away from that."

Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris said:

"Middlesbrough started very well, playing really good football. We conceded many situations so we were a little bit lucky not to concede a second goal.

"We stayed in the game, but it tested our patience as maybe we were a bit sloppy in possession.

"At half-time, we spoke about character, about playing with more passion. It was an intense game against a strong team and we had to play with 101%, not 80 or 85 or 90. And second half, we did that and we played a bit more vertical.

"This is a young team with talented players. It has a big margin, it is a question of how quick we can grow."

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