Image source, PA Media

It's Teesside basking in the glow of derby spoils tonight then as Middlesbrough overcome Sunderland, hoping to kickstart their season.

It's still early days but this is a big win for Chris Wilder's side in the hunt for promotion.

Tony Mowbray and Sunderland will have better nights to come, but there's promise there.

We'll be back with more EFL action on Friday night with Burnley versus Norwich.

Join us then. Good night.

I think we could have realised it wasn't going to be Sunderland's night when Alex Pritchard, so normally reliable as a playmaker and a creator, was unable to tuck away an easy chance on seven minutes.

They lacked the sharpness and creativity which brought three goals and three points against Rotherham in Tony Mowbray's first game.

In all, Ross Stewart's injury in the warm-up forced a change of personnel and also style - difficult when you're used to playing with two up top.

In the words of Sunderland legend Gary Bennett on BBC Radio Newcastle: "Overall you have to say we have caused our own problems. Passing was poor as was retention."

Home form has been good for Middlesbrough this season but they've not always been able to convert a lead into three points - from the opening weekend against West Brom onwards.

Today was a big test of their character and ability to do just that, as they thrived in the derby cauldron.

Riley McGree's finish was a fine one, a delightful touch taking the ball away from the defender, and proved the difference.

Yet, a clean sheet will also be music to the ears of Chris Wilder, who saw his side beaten in the last minute at Watford in their last outing.

Neil Maddison
Former Middlesbrough midfielder on BBC Tees

Results can get you going, especially in your derby.

They've got over the line, got the three points and it means so much to them.

You're just hoping it sparks a bit of life in this team.

Image source, PA Media

Relief and delight for the Middlesbrough fans who can celebrate three precious points and derby spoils as well against north east rivals Sunderland.

Riley McGree's goal won it for the Teessiders, who had further chances to build on the lead but were denied by Anthony Patterson.

The home side needed Liam Roberts too, making some key saves including one from a free-kick by Elliot Embleton.

Sunderland missed the injured Ross Stewart, despite the best efforts of Ellis Simms and an improved second-half display.

Tony Mowbray tastes defeat at his hometown club. But for Boro, the season might just be up and running for real now.

Whistles around the Riverside...

Bailey Wright rolls the ball into Ellis Simms as he scoots into the box, but he's forced wide by the Middlesbrough defence.

The Everton loanee holds up well, but then shoots from a narrow angle and the ball whizzes over the top.

At the other end, Anthony Patterson is almost caught out by Isaiah Jones but the ball squirts behind for a goal-kick.

Sunderland pump the ball into the box but Middlesbrough keep getting the right touch.

Ellis Simms won a flick on but it was carted away by Tommy Smith in the end.

Not the Wearsiders' night.

Elliot Embleton picks himself up, dusts himself down, and just curls the free-kick into Liam Roberts' hands in the Boro goal.

Home fans delighted. The away throng grind their collective teeth and rue another wasted chance.

Tommy Smith's attempts to clear for Middlesbrough, taking a fair chunk of Elliot Embleton with it, earns him a booking and gives away a dangerous free-kick here...

Sunderland have possession but Middlesbrough have cut down the space and options so well, that the visitors have to go sideways and back.

SEVEN MINUTES OF ADDED TIME.

Middlesbrough chewing down the clock with two subs.

Alex Mowatt is replaced by Marc Bola, with Rodrigo Muniz making way for Tommy Smith.

Tightening things up for the final few minutes.

Image source, Rex Features

Sunderland get in as Amad Diallo elbows his way into position in the box and gets the ball in possession.

However, instead of testing Liam Roberts with the shot, he tries to backheel to the supporting Ellis Simms but accuracy was lacking.

Missed opportunity.

Then Jack Clarke takes on Isaiah Jones in the box, but the Boro wing-back just pushes his shoulder in and nudges the Sunderland winger out of play.

Strong.

Neil Maddison
Former Middlesbrough midfielder on BBC Tees

For all the possession Sunderland have had, they haven't really hurt Boro.

The best chances have fallen to the hosts.

Duncan Watmore works Anthony Patterson, cutting in off the left and drilling a fierce effort which the Sunderland keeper saves.

He had support from Watmore, might have pulled it back instead.

Now Tony Mowbray has his hands behind his head in disappointment, after Sunderland winger Jack Clarke cuts a terrible cross/shot wide of the target.

Middlesbrough are managing this game well.

Tony Mowbray is roaring at the fourth official such is his frustration, after Ellis Simms is penalised for a foul on Anfernee Dijksteel.

He'll have been happier a minute later, when a long ball forward forces Matt Clarke to thrash the ball away panickedly after Amad Diallo's press for the visitors.

Time running out for Mogga though, at his boyhood club.

Elliot Embleton goes near post with a wickedly vicious free-kick that Liam Roberts for Middlesbrough races across to parry away.

Tester there for the ex-Northampton keeper, who comes out and right hooks the corner for a throw.

Image source, Rex Features

Feisty stuff as Middlesbrough's Isaiah Jones is tackled, recovers, tackled, loses it and then hacks down Jack Clarke as he swarms past him.

Booking for Jones, whose frustration prompted some red mist there.

Luke O'Nien does well to pinch the ball off the advancing Isaiah Jones for Sunderland, and clears, but gets a follow-through off the wing-back which prompts him to cry out in pain.

Sunderland can't make the ball stick in attack at the moment though, with the home side drilled to cover.