Sunderland vs Middlesbrough LIVE: Championship result, final score and reaction
Follow live coverage as Sunderland face Middlesbrough in the Championship today.
An increasingly competitive second tier in English football remains an intense and exciting competition, with the prize of a place in the Premier League on offer at the end of the season.
Last year Southampton, Leicester City and Leeds United were relegated from the top flight and all are hopeful of making a quick return - but the likes of Norwich City, West Bromwich Albion and Sunderland all have real promotion ambitions too.
At the other end of the table, QPR, Cardiff City and Birmingham City will hope for better campaigns than last year’s relegation struggle - while newcomers Sheffield Wednesday will be looking to survive after dramatic progress through the play-offs.
Follow live updates from today’s game in the live blog below.
Sunderland AFC 0 - 4 Middlesbrough FC
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
14:28
Match ends, Sunderland 0, Middlesbrough 4.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
14:28
Second Half ends, Sunderland 0, Middlesbrough 4.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
14:28
Attempt missed. Patrick Roberts (Sunderland) left footed shot from long range on the right is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Jobe Bellingham.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
14:26
Foul by Emmanuel Latte Lath (Middlesbrough).
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
14:24
Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Jenson Seelt.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
14:22
Goal! Sunderland 0, Middlesbrough 4. Marcus Forss (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
14:24
Attempt saved. Emmanuel Latte Lath (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Samuel Silvera.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
14:21
Attempt missed. Jobe Bellingham (Sunderland) right footed shot from outside the box following a corner.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
14:20
Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Seny Dieng.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
14:20
Attempt saved. Jenson Seelt (Sunderland) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Patrick Roberts.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
14:18
Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Paddy McNair.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
14:18
Attempt blocked. Patrick Roberts (Sunderland) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
14:17
Foul by Hayden Hackney (Middlesbrough).
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
14:17
Foul by Marcus Forss (Middlesbrough).
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
14:15
Dael Fry (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
14:15
Substitution, Middlesbrough. Alex Bangura replaces Lukas Engel.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
14:13
Attempt saved. Nazarii Rusyn (Sunderland) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
14:12
Attempt blocked. Samuel Silvera (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Lukas Engel.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
14:11
Morgan Rogers (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
14:11
Offside, Middlesbrough. Samuel Silvera tries a through ball, but Emmanuel Latte Lath is caught offside.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
14:09
Attempt missed. Emmanuel Latte Lath (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Morgan Rogers.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
14:09
Substitution, Sunderland. Nazarii Rusyn replaces Jack Clarke.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
14:09
Substitution, Middlesbrough. Marcus Forss replaces Isaiah Jones.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
14:09
Substitution, Middlesbrough. Samuel Silvera replaces Sam Greenwood.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
14:09
Jack Clarke (Sunderland) is shown the yellow card.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
14:04
Goal! Sunderland 0, Middlesbrough 3. Isaiah Jones (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from the centre of the box following a fast break.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
14:03
Attempt missed. Isaiah Jones (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from the right side of the box is too high following a set piece situation.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
14:03
Patrick Roberts (Sunderland) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
14:03
Sam Greenwood (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
14:02
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
14:02
Delay in match (Middlesbrough).
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
14:00
Substitution, Middlesbrough. Morgan Rogers replaces Matt Crooks.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
14:00
Substitution, Middlesbrough. Emmanuel Latte Lath replaces Josh Coburn.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
13:58
Attempt missed. Tommy Smith (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Daniel Barlaser following a corner.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
13:57
Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Dan Ballard.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
13:56
Substitution, Sunderland. Chris Rigg replaces Abdoullah Ba.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
13:55
Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Jobe Bellingham.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
13:54
Sam Greenwood (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
13:52
Goal! Sunderland 0, Middlesbrough 2. Matt Crooks (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from very close range to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Isaiah Jones.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
13:50
Goal! Sunderland 0, Middlesbrough 1. Sam Greenwood (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from the centre of the box following a corner.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
13:50
Attempt blocked. Lukas Engel (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Daniel Barlaser.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
13:49
Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Luke O'Nien.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
13:48
Attempt missed. Matt Crooks (Middlesbrough) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Hayden Hackney.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
13:46
Foul by Patrick Roberts (Sunderland).
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
13:41
Jenson Seelt (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
13:41
Attempt missed. Paddy McNair (Middlesbrough) header from very close range is too high. Assisted by Tommy Smith following a corner.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
13:40
Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Anthony Patterson.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
13:41
Attempt saved. Matt Crooks (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from very close range is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Isaiah Jones.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
13:37
Second Half begins Sunderland 0, Middlesbrough 0.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
13:37
Substitution, Sunderland. Adil Aouchiche replaces Mason Burstow.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
13:23
Dan Ballard (Sunderland) is shown the yellow card.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
13:21
First Half ends, Sunderland 0, Middlesbrough 0.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
13:21
Second yellow card to Daniel Neil (Sunderland).
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
13:18
Foul by Tommy Smith (Middlesbrough).
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
13:19
Luke O'Nien (Sunderland) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
13:18
Mason Burstow (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
13:18
Foul by Hayden Hackney (Middlesbrough).
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
13:15
Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Jenson Seelt.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
13:12
Seny Dieng (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
13:11
Foul by Josh Coburn (Middlesbrough).
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
13:09
Foul by Matt Crooks (Middlesbrough).
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
13:08
Josh Coburn (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
13:07
Tommy Smith (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
13:07
Attempt missed. Trai Hume (Sunderland) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Jack Clarke.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
13:06
Foul by Trai Hume (Sunderland).
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
13:06
Attempt blocked. Patrick Roberts (Sunderland) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
13:04
Isaiah Jones (Middlesbrough) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
13:04
Foul by Isaiah Jones (Middlesbrough).
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
13:04
Attempt blocked. Hayden Hackney (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
13:03
Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Dan Ballard.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
13:03
Attempt blocked. Sam Greenwood (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Isaiah Jones.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
13:02
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
13:02
Substitution, Sunderland. Jenson Seelt replaces Niall Huggins because of an injury.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
13:00
Delay in match because of an injury Niall Huggins (Sunderland).
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
12:59
Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Dan Ballard.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
12:59
Attempt blocked. Sam Greenwood (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
12:57
Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Dan Ballard.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
12:57
Attempt blocked. Josh Coburn (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is blocked.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
12:57
Attempt saved. Sam Greenwood (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Daniel Barlaser.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
12:55
Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Dael Fry.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
12:53
Foul by Hayden Hackney (Middlesbrough).
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
12:52
Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Seny Dieng.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
12:53
Attempt saved. Patrick Roberts (Sunderland) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Trai Hume.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
12:49
Daniel Neil (Sunderland) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
12:48
Josh Coburn (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
12:48
Lukas Engel (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
12:47
Attempt missed. Josh Coburn (Middlesbrough) header from the left side of the six yard box misses to the left. Assisted by Tommy Smith with a cross.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
12:44
Daniel Barlaser (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
12:40
Attempt missed. Abdoullah Ba (Sunderland) right footed shot from the left side of the box.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
12:40
Foul by Matt Crooks (Middlesbrough).
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
12:39
Foul by Matt Crooks (Middlesbrough).
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
12:47
Hand ball by Patrick Roberts (Sunderland).
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
12:36
Sam Greenwood (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
12:34
Trai Hume (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
12:34
Foul by Sam Greenwood (Middlesbrough).
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
12:31
First Half begins.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
12:00
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
11:30
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