Middlesbrough 1-1 Sunderland
by Harry De Cosemo
at Riverside Stadium

THIS was the derby of which everybody questioned the validity, but Sunderland will have revelled in spoiling Middlesbrough’s party, snatching a 1-1 draw in the Tees-Wear clash at the Riverside Stadium.

Marcus Forss’s sublime opener looked like it would be enough for Boro, who dominated for long spells in the second half.

But after substitute Nazarly Rusyn’s late equaliser, it was Sunderland who perhaps sensed an opportunity to win it.

Michael Beale says Ukrainian forward Rusyn is settling in after reuniting with his family amid the ongoing war in his homeland.

“(His wife and children) are here now. You’d see a different side naturally as a father living away,” Beale told reporters.

“There is a war going on in his homeland, and he’s been a long way away. It is fantastic they are here. His English is improving, and he is getting better connections with his teammates on the pitch. His energy and pressing is great, but the connection is missing.”

Sunderland’s start was brave and purposeful, but it was Middlesbrough who should have taken the lead inside 10 minutes.

Anthony Patterson smothered the ball as Sam Greenwood was bearing down on goal, but Finn Azaz couldn’t keep his shot down after it fell into his path inside the area.

Trai Hume’s curling effort stung Boro keeper Tom Glover’s palms as the visitors looked to force the issue themselves, but Sunderland’s openness at the back was threatening to become an issue.

Hume was alert to deny Greenwood at the other end as Hayden Hackney burst through and looked to square to him.

With just over 10 minutes of the first half remaining, Abdoullah Ba scurried into the area and stood the Boro defence up well, only to fire harmlessly into the side-netting.

Ba saw a goal-bound shot cleared off the line by Rav van den Berg moments later after clever link-up play between Jobe Bellingham and Jack Clarke.

At the start of the second half, it was Boro looking to take things up a notch. Greenwood went down in the area under a challenge from Patterson only to be flagged offside, before Luke Ayling curled a shot over the bar.

Their pressure paid off just past the hour. Forss expertly controlled Greenwood’s goal-bound shot before swivelling and firing past a helpless Patterson.

Minutes later, Greenwood almost doubled the lead. He had been a constant thorn in the side of the Sunderland centre-backs, but could only prod wide of Patterson’s right-hand post after breaking free again.

It was difficult for Sunderland to muster a response, but they levelled seven minutes from time.

What looked an innocuous counter-attack turned threatening when Clarke found Rusyn on the edge of the area. He unleashed a shot towards goal, and it slipped agonisingly though Glover’s hands.

Clarke was suddenly instrumental as Sunderland hunted a winner, twice flashing across goal to no avail. Boro were hanging on.

The home side will feel this is an opportunity missed, but with the play-offs in sight for both, perhaps nobody will leave this local battle truly satisfied, even if nobody can agree whether it truly represents a derby or not.