‘Fans would be right (if they feared relegation) because that’s what we’ve had here for four years, ‘ he said.
Advertisement
Aitor Karanka replaced Albert Adomah with Stuani in one of three changes from the 1-1 draw with Stoke City last weekend, and it quickly paid dividends.
We’re two games in and already David Moyes is giving off the impression that the task he faces as Sunderland manager is not going as well as he had initially hoped.
Guzan produced a smart one-handed save to deny Van Aanholt and Ben Gibson blocked brilliantly from Jermain Defoe.
Boro, just as they had done last weekend against Stoke, visibly exhausted as time ran down, but they managed to hold out amid a late onslaught.
In the day’s early kick-off, newly-promoted Middlesbrough earned bragging rights over north-east rivals Sunderland in the first Wear-Tees derby for seven years courtesy of a memorable brace from Cristhian Stuani. “The prices are a bit more than they have been in the past”.
Patrick van Aanholt reduced the arrears on 71 minutes but, despite an improved second-half display, Boro held on for their first Premier League win of the season, while Sunderland remain winless from their first two games.
Before the goal I thought we were the better team, we lost our way 10 minutes before half time when we lost John O’Shea to injury; that didn’t help and we had to change it quickly.
The Black Cats now face a race against the clock to strengthen their squad before the transfer window closes with the manager admitting recruiting the right men at the right price is proving hard. “It is hard, first home game of the season and a lot of pressure”, said Mannone.
Striker Jonathan Calleri, who joined on loan from Uruguayan Segunda Division outfit Deportivo Maldonado last week, spurned a glorious chance to extend the lead in second-half injury time after bursting through on goal. I was disappointed we conceded because we defended ever so well.
He said: “I have said always that we can’t make mistakes because in the Premier League, there are a lot of quality players”.
Advertisement
“Everyone is fighting. It’s obviously disappointing when they don’t play – everyone is like that – but it’s a team game and players will be needed over the course of the season”.
