Cristhian Stuani scored a brace as Middlesbrough continued their unbeaten start to the 2016-17 Premier League season with a 2-1 win over Sunderland in the Tees-Wear derby on Sunday afternoon.
A first-half double from Stuani saw the visitors take control at the Stadium of Light and they held on for all three points despite a 71st-minute Patrick van Aanholt response, which arrived during a strong spell of Sunderland pressure.
Paddy McNair, Papy Djilobodji and Adnan Januzaj all made their full Premier League debuts for Sunderland, but there was no room for Lamine Kone, who ruled himself out of the contest amid talk of interest from Everton.
Donald Love and Lynden Gooch also made their home Premier League debuts for the Black Cats, while Jermain Defoe continued as the lone striker in what was a 4-2-3-1 formation for the home side.
There were also changes in the Middlesbrough XI as Brad Guzan, Adam Forshaw and Stuani replaced Victor Valdes, Marten de Roon and Albert Adomah for the club's first away game back in the top flight of English football.
As expected, the Tees-Wear derby started at a ferocious pace as both teams battled for early control of the possession, and it was a bright start from Januzaj as the on-loan Manchester United attacker threatened in a wide position.
Sunderland were the more threatening in the early stages, but it was Middlesbrough that took the lead in the 13th minute of action when Stuani sent an effort into the top corner after finding space outside the box.
The home side continued to dominate possession of the ball, but it was Aitor Karanka's side that were racking up the attempts as Gaston Ramirez and Forshaw both struck wide of the post inside 20 minutes.
Defoe and Jack Rodwell both had long-range attempts for Sunderland as the first period continued to develop, but there was a blow for the hosts in the 37th minute when O'Shea left the field injured, with Steven Pienaar brought on for his debut after signing a one-year contract with the Black Cats last week.
Middlesbrough's counter-attacking threat continued to cause Sunderland problems and Karanka's side had their second in the final minute of the first period when Robshaw slid in Negredo and the striker set up Stuani, who had the simple task of firing home from close range for his second Premier League goal.
Moyes attempted to boost his attacking options in the second period with the introduction of Jeremain Lens, but it was more of the same at the Stadium of Light as Middlesbrough continued to keep their rivals at a safe distance.
Gooch and Pienaar both had attempts for the home side as the hour mark approached, but neither tested Guzan between the sticks as the American enjoyed a very comfortable start to his career with the Riverside outfit.
Guzan was eventually called into action just past the hour to keep out a low Van Aanholt effort, before George Friend came across to block a Lens shot during a strong spell of pressure from the Black Cats.
Januzaj impressed under Moyes at Man United and the Belgian continued to look the most likely for the home side, while Defoe had a goal-bound shot blocked by Ben Gibson in the 65th minute.
Finally Sunderland were back in the game in the 71st minute when Van Aanholt fired home from close range after Guzan had parried a Duncan Watmore effort into the middle of the box.
Spurred on by the vocal home supporters, Sunderland launched an onslaught on the Middlesbrough goal as Januzaj came close on two separate occasions, but the visitors managed to steady the ship as the final five minutes approached.
The pressure continued into the latter stages as the Black Cats attempted to avoid a second straight 2-1 defeat in the Premier League, but Middlesbrough held on to make it four points from two matches on their return to the top flight.
Sunderland will host Shrewsbury Town in the League Cup on Wednesday, before travelling to Southampton in the Premier League next Saturday. Middlesbrough, meanwhile, are in cup action away to Fulham on Wednesday ahead of a trip to West Bromwich Albion in the league on Sunday afternoon.
Matt Law
