What a pensive trio the respective coaches of Middlesbrough and Sunderland are.

Sums up the tight nature of this game.

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Marcus Tavernier, Middlesbrough's match-winner apparent, makes way for Marvin Johnson having flicked his side in front in the first-half.

Fine work from the 18-year-old. Johnson will add his tricky, pacy wing-play to the Boro mix.

Any cliff-hanger-esque tension built up by the last entry is unfortunately rendered redundant by a poor free-kick by Boro's Stewart Downing.

Whacked high and wide, and to quote John Motson from an old video game "not at all handsome."

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Aiden McGeady with a winger's challenge on Cyrus Christie as he powered down the right.

Free-kick...

Wonder whether Sunderland's reshuffles are catching up with them a bit now because Middlesbrough are beginning to impose themselves on the game.

Slick passing in midfield helps, as does a considerable wide threat. Both George Friend and Cyrus Christie pushing up from full-back are good on the ball and have a good delivery.

Wearsiders need to be wary.

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WHAT A SAVE BY ROBBIN RUITER.

Middlesbrough looked destined to score after Martin Braithwaite had the goal gaping, but the Dutchman clawed it away and then gathered the rebound with Britt Assombalonga looming to bundle it in. Let-off.

Didier Ndong ruefully limps down the tunnel for further treatment after that knee problem, and George Honeyman comes on to replace him for Sunderland.

Two injuries to concern the Wearsiders now, after Billy Jones went off.

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Lewis Grabban heads over the top after an in-swinging cross by Bryan Oviedo into the mix.

Sunderland are still a threat, they are surprisingly high on confidence despite all the recent goings on at the Stadium of Light.

Oviedo's exuberance and enthusiasm gets the better of him later on though as he shrugs off a Boro player and concedes a free-kick.

Didier Ndong looks uncomfortable. Knee problem.

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Boro look to damage Sunderland down the right side again but Cyrus Christie's cross is overhit.

Lovely skill from Martin Braithwaite in the build up though, just lofting the ball over Ben Gibson's head and then flicking into the path of Britt Assombalonga who couldn't get a shot away.

Didier Ndong down a moment ago. Innocuously.

Early bright start by Sunderland forces a corner. Aiden McGeady's delivery is swept away easily, Boro clear their lines and win a throw midway inside their own half.

John Terry posted the news of his broken metatarsal on Instagram? What picture did he put alongside it? Sad face? Wounded foot? I see, a protective boot. Severe. Hope he's alright.

Anyway, the second half is underway.

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In case you missed it yesterday, former England captain John Terry suffered a broken metatarsal in his right foot in Aston Villa's home defeat by Sheffield Wednesday.

Skipper Terry was substituted on 20 minutes, when Villa were one down, and was then followed off by winger Robert Snodgrass who aggravated a rib injury.

Terry confirmed the extent of the damage on Instagram following a scan.

"I have just had news that I have broken my fifth metatarsal," he said.

"Devastated is an understatement to how I'm feeling tonight. I will be doing everything I can to get back fit as soon as possible."

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Leon Clarke was the headline maker in Saturday's Championship action as the Sheffield United striker netted all four of the Blades' goals in a 4-1 win at home to Hull City.

Chris Wilder's side climbed back up to second and two points behind leaders Wolves.

Elsewhere, there were wins for Bristol City, Sheffield Wednesday, Barnsley, Bolton, Reading, Ipswich, Burton, Forest and Brentford.

Read all the reports and reaction from Saturday's action right here.

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Pressure mounted on Hull City manager Leonid Slutsky after his side were beaten at Championship form horses Sheffield United on Saturday.

Slutsky criticised his team's resilience after the 4-1 defeat at Bramall Lane - a third successive Championship loss.

City dropped to 20th in the second tier, just two places and four points above the relegation zone.

"We don't have a strong mentality, we don't have a team spirit," Slutsky told BBC Radio Humberside.

"It's very bad, it's terrible and I'm very angry."

Going back to 13:03's utterings... do people still creosote fences? I know there's the myth of Alan Shearer celebrating his Blackburn Premier League title by doing such a thing. Garden care is a serious matter. Anyone who has had to replace a fence knows that. Expensive business.

This game has hardly been like paint (or creosote) drying. It's been a decent derby, though not in the usual manner. It's open and entertaining rather than a mud 'n bloodbath.

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Middlesbrough's one moment of genuine quality has been enough to separate these two north east rivals at the halfway stage and it came on six minutes from a teenager with great promise in Marcus Tavernier.

Lovely ball and movement set Martin Braithwaite away down the right edge of the box, and his low centre was turned beyond Robbin Ruiter by the ruthless Tavernier.

Sunderland have had chances too, with Darren Randolph called into action and they deserve credit for their display... however it's points they need at the moment.

The Ronseal of posts. Does what it says... etc, etc.

Other brands of creosote are available, naturally.

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Fair play to Sunderland midfielder Lee Cattermole, he's been controlled in his efforts against his former club.

However, he couldn't resist a little lunging nibble there and gets a yellow card for his trouble.

Scything stuff in a harmless position.

Sunderland trying to thread the eye of the needle as Adam Matthews looked to play in Lewis Grabban, who was swamped by attentive Middlesbrough defenders.

Space is opening up for the Wearsiders... though a move eventually breaks down in the 18-yard box...

Boro break, Sunderland sweep up. It's a fluid encounter this one.

As good as Sunderland have been the past five minutes, when Boro hit their stride they are a threat.

The deep-lying Britt Assombalonga exchanges passes with Grant Leadbitter and then drives a shot at Robbin Ruiter from 20 yards.

Still one goal in it. Anyone's game.

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