Sunderland v Middlesbrough FA cup fourth round

A second half strike from Sunderland substitute Fraizer Campbell denied Tony Mowbray’s Middlesbrough side a place in the last 16 of the FA cup, after Boro put their recent league form to one side to create a highly entertaining game at the Stadium of Light. Barry Robson’s first half volley had set the standard, as the Championship side led at the break but Campbell’s goal marked a dream return to the Sunderland team and the sides will have to do it all over again in the return game at the Riverside.

Scott McDonald was the first to test Sunderland keeper Mignolet but Boro first real attack came on 15 minutes, when Sunderland thought they had cleared the danger only for Robson to fire the ball though the crowd with a moment of brilliance to launch Boro in front. Sunderland then struggled to respond, as they were unable to produce there premier league quality to break their rivals down. However the home side felt hard done by after their goal 5 minutes from the half time was not given for offside, when replays showed Sunderland striker Conner Wickham didn’t make contact with the ball. But the cameras also caught Craig Gardener handling the ball making the goal rightly disallowed. Boro then had the chance to double their lead but new signing Lukas Jutkiewicz couldn’t hit target after his first shot was saved missing a golden chance on the stoke of half time.

In the second half Sunderland manager Martin O'Neil introduced substitute Campbell in a risk that paid off. Boro were caught out from their own corner, as a sloppy pass from goal scorer Robson was well anticipated from James McLean resulting on three on one in Sunderland’s favour when he picked out Campbell to level the score. Sunderland looked the more likely side to win it after that with Danny Coyne the busier of the two keepers. But Sunderland never really found there best and the game remained level, as both sides now look to push on in the league before the replay in just over weeks time where the reward will be a home tie with Arsenal or Aston Villa.

Match Ratings

Coyne   8 – strong performance when called upon nothing he could do about the goal

McMahon   7 – generally kept main player McLean quiet

Bates (C)   7 – dealt with danger in area with confidence  

Hines   6 – solid performance on return to the team

Williams   7 – covered well in midfield while missing Bailey and Thompson

Hoyte   6 - didn’t really get chance to show pace going forward

Haroum   8 – looked strong and powerful going forward and keep shape in midfield

Robson   8 – stunning goal and stand out player but made mistake for the goal

McDonald   6 – early shot but quiet for long spells

Emnes   5 – found some space early on but then wasn’t his best day

Jutkiewicz   6 – worked hard but missed chance to make it 2-0