Middlesbrough hosted Sunderland in what was probably the least anticipated derby between the two sides for a long time. With both teams looking doomed to the championship, the teams were playing for their pride.
Thankfully for Middlesbrough fans, they came out on top in a very scrappy 1-0 win.
Middlesbrough started brightly with Adam Clayton playing an excellent through ball over the top to De Roon who slotted home for the only goal of the game in the 8th minute. Downing then broke through shortly after but put his shot straight of the keeper.
The rest of the game remained scrappy and littered with mistakes. Sunderland’s best chance at goal came from a free-kick which forced Guzan into a good save. However, Sunderland never really caused Boro any real problems.
The result has all but doomed Sunderland to relegation. While it brings Boro closer to Hull, it is still very unlikely they will stay up this year.
Moyes out?
After another disappointing defeat, questions must now be asked if it is time for David Moyes to go. Even against Middlesbrough who had not won a game in 2017 before tonight, Sunderland looked awful. They gave the ball away constantly, made silly mistakes and lacked any real passion.
While some of this can be attributed to the players, some blame must be put on Moyes. As early as August this season Moyes stated Sunderland would be in a relegation battle this year. While Moyes may have believed this, saying it in August is ridiculous. He basically set Sunderland up to fail.
Sunderland can now be relegated as early as Saturday if results don’t go their way. Therefore, as Moyes has clearly struggled to get anything out of this team, Sunderland must now surely look elsewhere for a manager if they are to rebuild in the summer and regain promotion to the Premier League.
There were also several chants from Sunderland fans at tonight’s game aimed at them wanting Moyes out. You can’t really blame them either as they still managed to look awful against the worst form side of 2017.
Middlesbrough finally win a game
Before tonight Middlesbrough’s last win came in December 2016 in a 3-0 win over Swansea. However, thankfully for Boro fans, they finally ended that awful run tonight with a win over Sunderland. They have also now done the double over Sunderland. Meaning nearly 50% of Boro’s wins this season have come from Sunderland. Something neither team will be too proud of.
Despite the win, it does look like too little too late for Boro. They still remain six points away from 17th place Hull. Boro have just four games to breach the gap and have an awful run of games to do so. Boro must still play Manchester City, Southampton, Chelsea and Liverpool. With none of these games looking winnable for Boro their victory over Sunderland looks to be nothing more than for pride.
Boro’s win was also Rudy Gestede’s first Premier League win in 43 games.
Will Agnew get the Boro job permanently?
Since taking over Karanka in March as temporary manager Agnew has hardly reinvigorated Boro. Before tonight Agnew had managed six Boro games. In those games, Boro had lost four and drew two. Middlesbrough had also conceded four goals in two of those games, something they had done just once in Karanka’s full time in charge.
However, despite many Boro fans feelings Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson seems to like Agnew. Gibson even came out and said Agnew could be a surprise number one choice for the Boro job.
Now after Boro’s win over one of their biggest rivals Agnew may have got himself even more in favour with Steve Gibson. But with Boro set to be relegated, should Gibson really be putting his faith in an inexperienced manager to try and get them promoted next season.
