Middlesbrough v Sunderland FA cup fourth round replay

A determined effort from a young Middlesbrough side wasn’t quite enough to overcome near neighbours Sunderland, after a late Stephane Sessegnon strike finally broke down the Teessiders to end their FA cup run in heart breaking fashion. Penalties beckoned when goals from Jack Colback and Lukas Jutkiewicz had forced extra time; however Benin international Sessegnon showed his premier league quality to prevent the shootout 7 minutes from time.

The game started with both teams cancelling out the other, with the Black cats seeing more possession but were unable to trouble Jason Steele’s goal. Boro’s attacking threat had been significantly weakened since the sides met in the original tie, as Barry Robson, Faris Haroun and Scott McDonald all joined an ever increasing injury list. However it was the home side who created the game’s first real chance with half an hour played, when Sunderland keeper Mignolet tipped over Seb Hines’s effort to keep the game level. But Sunderland who have been recently inspired by new boss Martin O'Neill finally broke down their resolute opponents. Fraizer Campbell drew the defenders to give Jack Colback space to produce the match’s first piece of quality, when his left foot volley from the edge of the area perfectly hit into the top corner giving keeper Steele no chance to silence the home fans on 42 minutes. Boro came close with a rapid response, both Tony McMahon and full debutant Curtis Main were denied the chance to level the match in quick succession. 

Sunderland remained in control at the start of the second half, with Boro digging deep to stay in the game. The home side were rewarded when a long ball from Justin Hoyte was headed down from Main showing strength and courage to find strike partner Jutkiewicz who made no mistake on converting his first goal for the club. After that Sunderland’s Phil Bardsley was denied by both the post and Steele, as the game swung towards extra time. Boro introduced top scorer Marvin Emnes, as his shot was blocked after a great run from Hoyte. But it was the Premier League side who found a late winner when Sessegnon made the most of an ever tiring young Boro side, as his run was halted before bouncing back for him to tuck away what turned out to be the winner. Sunderland’s reward is a home tie with Arsenal in this week’s fifth round match. While Boro will hope for the return of key players for an away fixture at Ipswich, now fully focusing on a promotion to the Premier League.
   

Match Ratings

Steele    7- made some important saves, could do nothing about the goal

Hoyte    6- pace of the side made occasional runs forward where he looked a threat

Bates (C)   8-great performance with crucial tackles and blocks

Hines   7- another solid performance drawn out of position for opening goal

Bennett   7- defended well and was one player who looked a threat going forward

McMahon   7- got in some good positions unlucky not to score before half time

Williams   7- worked hard and protected defence for long periods of time

Thompson   6- kept shape in midfield but a couple of wild shots at goal

Arca   6- found some good passes early on against former club

Main   7- stayed patient used physical strength to create goal

Jutkiewicz   7- not much service but took goal well when it came

Subs

Smallwood   6- came on in second half allowed Williams to get forward    

Reach   6- looked confident with the ball added some spark to the game

Emnes   5- came on in second half but didn’t look sharp