Sunderland break through Amad Diallo who jinks at Ryan Giles as he approaches the box, and rolls into Ross Stewart.

The Scotland striker holds up and tees off to Patrick Roberts, who a little askew whacks the ball miles wide and off-target.

Wasn't balanced when he took it.

Hayden Hackney is getting some supremacy in midfield for Middlesbrough, and drives on.

He gets to the edge of the box where a shooting chance presents itself, but rather gets underneath with a disappointing scoop.

No danger to Anthony Patterson and Sunderland, despite the initial peril.

Bailey Wright is on for Sunderland with Aji Alese making way.

Plenty of speculation about his future at the Stadium of Light, but he's in action and very much a Wearsider today.

Aji Alese is back up for Sunderland. The home side lose it in midfield though and are on the backpedal.

Ryan Giles bends in a perfect cross for Boro, but Danny Batth clears it.

Sunderland break, Ross Stewart puts the ball into a superb area to attack but no team-mates take up his forward-run slack.

Middlesbrough's 10-men are having to work overtime with the man disadvantage.

They've got a little time to regroup as Aji Alese is down. They're struggling for defensive numbers with Luke O'Nien suspended.

Neil Maddison
Former Middlesbrough midfielder on BBC Tees

It'll be interesting to see what Michael Carrick does regarding shape. Chuba Akpom will sit in that hole and float behind.

It's gone to a sort of 4-3-1-1 shape and it still gives you that option you can go forward if you get the ball.

Aston Villa loanee Cameron Archer is on for Boro, with Marcus Forss making way.

Archer was signed to "add something different" to Boro according to boss Michael Carrick. That difference needs to be a goal.

Sunderland striker Ross Stewart is always on the move and another run into the channels results in Boro putting it behind for a corner.

The initial set-piece came to no danger, but Patrick Roberts curls in a belter of a cross that Tommy Smith and Dan Ballard await at the back-post.

Smith sends the Sunderland stopper tumbling, but no penalty coming this time.

Paddy McNair with a mega-block!

Sunderland pushed the ball from the right of the box to the right, but as the low cross was fired toward goal by Edouard Michut, McNair makes a brave contribution to stop the shot squeezing through.

Boro under pressure again. Zack Steffen rises to claw in a big Patrick Roberts cross. Another attack overcome.

Middlesbrough power forward after Hayden Hackney wins the ball in midfield with a robust challenge.

Marcus Forss heads for goal as support pours through, but his low-key shot is easily saved by Anthony Patterson as it bobbled through.

Finally Boro turn the tide on Sunderland with some possession and a free-kick at the other end.

Chuba Akpom impeded. Jonny Howson plays it short, and eventually launches it in.

Darragh Lenihan kept it alive heading into the mix, Akpom nudges it to Riley McGree, but his low, skiddy effort trickles wide.

The home side have really stretched the field with Amad Diallo and Jack Clarke pulled as wide as possible to keep Boro on their toes.

It's like a particularly cruel game of piggy in the middle as Boro chase around to try to win the ball. An exhibition in possession.

Sunderland push down the left with Jack Clarke cutting in, but his shot spoons up via a deflection and the ball is cleared.

Middlesbrough need to weather this storm, as the home side's tails are up and they're exploiting the space and man advantage.

Amad Diallo whips in the cross for Sunderland and Ross Stewart ghosts near post to attack it but the ball diverts behind for a goal-kick.

In the midst of that, Matt Crooks has been subbed for Boro, and ex-Sunderland defender Paddy McNair is on.

Neil Maddison
Former Middlesbrough midfielder on BBC Tees

You know what, he dives and to be fair the ball is not into the corner. He gets on it. But you've got to have people coming into the box trying to get to the ball.

In my opinion, it shouldn't be a dog race, you've got to defend properly and Boro haven't there.

The importance of this next 10 minutes are massive.

...Fry sees red for the challenge!

Sunderland have a penalty, as Ross Stewart chases a ball through and is dragged down by Dael Fry...

Image source, Rex Features

Sunderland are allowed to get to the Middlesbrough 18-yard box but once they get there, the Teessiders slide into their defensive position and shut down.

Some lovely football between Trai Hume and Ross Stewart sees the former released by a one-two, but the defender can't latch onto the return.

At the other end, Riley McGree has his progress checked but the free-kick comes to nothing.

Nor does a fine run from Ryan Giles, whose normally perfect left boot carelessly turns a cross behind, high, wide and not at all handsome.

Off we go again. Pitch looking decent enough, if a bit patchy in places.