Rodrigo Muniz heads a corner just wide but it didn't half ping off the Boro striker's head.

Could have gone anywhere.

Sunderland work the ball to Alex Pritchard on the edge of the box from the subsequent corner, but his curling strike sails through to Boro keeper Liam Roberts.

Neil Maddison
Former Middlesbrough midfielder on BBC Tees

If I'm Riley McGree, Rodrigo Muniz is getting an absolute mouthful from me.

McGree has to take charge of that situation - if he does it's an opportunity to stick the ball in the net.

Image source, Rex Features

Tony Mowbray needs to get a guard dog for his left full-back position because Isaiah Jones has constantly intruded on his territory.

Another searing run from the Boro wing-back results in a cut-back which Riley McGree was steaming on to, but Rodrigo Muniz got striker's greed and had a half-swing at it - scuffing it wide.

McGree's eyes tell the story. That was his chance.

Image source, Rex Features

If Chris Wilder could have a complaint about his Middlesbrough side tonight so far, amid a bright opening, it's got to be the final ball.

So many crosses have just thudded into the first man or been helped away to safety by a confident side-foot away.

Sunderland have Alex Pritchard's miss to show for their efforts, and a whistler from Jack Clarke from the edge of the box which flew across the penalty area and wide.

Smart play by Middlesbrough as a raking pass to Alex Pritchard is cut out and Jonny Howson powers forward.

The ball is slipped across to the left where Ryan Giles goes for the low delivery which is blocked.

Pritchard's frustrations are evident at the moment. He can't get on the ball.

Middlesbrough sweep in a free-kick to the back post, but Matt Clarke's header is wide of the mark.

Game has certainly evened out now.

Sunderland work a short corner on the left, but the cross swings all the way through to the far post.

Having struggled to get out of their own half, the visitors have grown into the contest and it's lively and open now.

Ellis Simms does well to hold the ball up top and wins his side a throw, high in Middlesbrough territory. Big responsibility for him tonight after Ross Stewart's injury.

Neil Maddison
Former Middlesbrough midfielder on BBC Tees

What a chance that is.

Sunderland work it really well - Alex Pritchard has more time than he thinks, he can take a touch and pick his corner.

But he takes it first time and gets it all wrong.

Image source, Getty Images

How does Alex Pritchard miss that? Matt Clarke had the ball pinched off him at the back for Middlesbrough, and Sunderland ease into gear.

Ellis Simms rolls the ball to an open Pritchard, but his shot sails high over the bar.

Real missed opportunity. Had plenty of time.

Image source, Rex Features

Sunderland cut open again and Middlesbrough get in behind from one big diagonal.

Isaiah Jones races onto it in space, cuts it back to Rodrigo Muniz but it's a big block to deny him.

Matt Crooks can't hook in the rebound. Over. Let-off.

Middlesbrough's supporters roar in approval as their team set about Sunderland early doors with a fanatical press.

Plenty of width being offered by Ryan Giles and Isaiah Jones down the flanks, but their crosses have largely been mopped up by the Black Cats back-three.

Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray - that looks wrong written down - has his sleeves rolled up.

Something his team will metaphorically have to do, as they give possession away in midfield and Riley McGree strides forward for Boro, but the shot is deflected wide.

The home side work the throw, Ryan Giles swings in the cross and Rodrigo Muniz gets up but can't keep his header down.

Neil Maddison
Former Middlesbrough midfielder on BBC Tees

As a player there's nothing better than a derby.

The atmosphere is always good, whether you're home or away.

They're really special to play in.

Here we go then.

Boro in all red with the classic white band of the 1970s era.

Sunderland in a pale blue.

Darren Bond is the man in the middle. I won't make the Bond joke again.

Black Cats get us going.

Both BBC Radio Tees and BBC Radio Newcastle will be up in the press box at the Riverside tonight, delivering their partisan coverage to the people of the north east.

Unless you're in those transmission areas, I'm sorry you'll not be able to get hold of those BBC commentaries online. Rights issues I'm afraid.

Here come the teams.

Plus, Pigbag whacked out of the speakers. Always gets the blood pumping.

Image source, Getty Images

It's been a controversial weekend in the Premier League, with referees' body PGMOL effectively accepting that VAR decisions made at Chelsea and Newcastle were wrong.

There are no video reviews in the Football League but that doesn't mean things always run smoothly - as mentioned, Huddersfield were denied an equaliser in their loss to Blackpool on Sunday due to goal-line technology failing to operate.

Middlesbrough and Sunderland fans will be relieved to see the technology has been tested at the Riverside before kick-off...

Would you want VAR to be introduced in the EFL? Let me know what you think on Twitter, just add #bbcefl to your messages.

Image source, PA Media

Big bit of news today.

The English Football League has confirmed that Huddersfield Town were denied a goal in Sunday's 1-0 defeat by Blackpool, after Hawk-Eye goal-line technology failed to work correctly.

Yuta Nakayama's second-half 'goal' for the Terriers was judged not to have crossed the line, and Hawk-Eye subsequently admitted the ball was not being tracked in the build-up to the incident.

Referees body PGMOL said officials were unsighted due to player obstruction.

Read more about it here.

Image source, Getty Images

Few players feel Middlesbrough Football Club more than Tony Mowbray.

The lad from Redcar who went from the Ayresome Park terraces to the pitch, from fan to captain to manager. Boro are instilled in his heart.

However, that long-standing affinity will be pushed to one side tonight, as the former West Brom, Celtic, Hibs, Coventry and Blackburn boss brings his new Sunderland team down the A19 for a derby.

What kind of reception he receives is yet to be seen, particularly now he is in charge of a rival.

"I can't affect that, so I don't worry about it," Mowbray told BBC Radio Newcastle. "What I do know is generally the teams I've gone back there with have had decent results.

"I hope and expect that we will go there and give a good account of ourselves.

"I played in enough of these matches, they're derby games. The game looks after itself, every tackle, every ball, every header is going to be contested ferociously.

"I've got an affection for that club because I spent 12 years there, but I'm a professional."