The tactical change Sunderland made that caught Middlesbrough off guard

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Middlesbrough couldn’t take home bragging rights on derby day after being beaten by Sunderland in the Tees-Wear derby on Saturday.

Chris Rigg scored the only goal of the game with a sensational first-half backheel as Michael Carrick’s side couldn’t secure back-to-back wins at the Stadium of Light for the first time since 2006.

Boro had plenty of chances, including first-half efforts from Tommy Conway and Matt Clarke, but couldn’t make them count.

READ MORE: Middlesbrough summer transfer target expresses frustration at start to 2024/25 season

Sunderland boss reveals tactical tweak in win against Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough’s opponents have made a strong start to the season and just one point off Championship league leaders West Bromwich Albion.

Derby games often throw the form book out of the window and require a different style of thinking, something that Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris did.

Similarly to what Preston North End boss Paul Heckingbottom said during last week’s draw, Le Bris revealed that his side had pin-pointed where they could be successful against Boro.

Position	Team	PlayedMP	WonW	DrawnD	LostL	ForGF	AgainstGA	DiffGD	PointsPts
1	West BromWest Brom	6	5	1	0	10	2	8	16
2	SunderlandSunderland	6	5	0	1	13	4	9	15
3	BurnleyBurnley	6	4	1	1	13	4	9	13
4	Sheff UtdSheffield Utd	6	4	2	0	9	3	6	12
5	BlackburnBlackburn	5	3	2	0	12	6	6	11
6	LeedsLeeds	6	3	2	1	9	4	5	11
7	SwanseaSwansea	6	3	1	2	7	4	3	10
8	WatfordWatford	6	3	1	2	10	9	1	10
9	Oxford UnitedOxford United	6	3	0	3	10	8	2	9
10	DerbyDerby	6	3	0	3	8	7	1	9
11	NorwichNorwich	6	2	2	2	8	7	1	8
12	MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough	6	2	2	2	6	5	1	8
13	Bristol CityBristol City	6	2	2	2	8	12	-4	8
14	QPRQPR	6	1	4	1	8	9	-1	7
15	LutonLuton	6	2	1	3	5	8	-3	7
16	Hull CityHull City	6	1	3	2	5	7	-2	6

Le Bris said: “This was a game against a strong team, a very interesting team, who are very strong in possession. It was clear to me that they have the preference to have the ball and to keep the ball, especially in the central corridor. So we decided to close this part of the pitch.

“During the first half, they tried to overload the right side so it was a different problem. This is a big factor for us because we can start with ideas because you have the possibility to analyse your opponents before the game. But when the game gets going and it evolves, you need to respond very quickly.

“The second half was more difficult because they had the momentum and wanted to score. But the mindset of the team was very interesting today. We had this feeling in our shape that we wanted to defend together and find solutions together. We had many problems today and Boro play very good football. I like the way they play. If we don’t work together, we can’t solve these problems, so we’re very happy.”

Michael Carrick says Sunderland star should’ve been sent off

Carrick cut a frustrated figure at full-time as his Boro side felt the taste of defeat once again.

Like most games this season, the Teesiders dominated the possession stats but couldn’t make the most important stat of all count as they failed to score at the Stadium of Light.

Goals have been hard to come by and Boro only managed one shot on target in 90 minutes but the Middlesbrough boss felt even more aggrieved at the fact that Sunderland ended the game with 11 men on the pitch.

He believed that defender Trai Hume should’ve been shown red for his late challenge on Emmanuel Latte Lath in the first half.

“It’s 100% a red card for the challenge on Manu,” Carrick said. “I don’t get why that’s not been given.

“For me, it’s a case of when’s the line of time. When it happens so early they say it’s too early so it’s a yellow card because they don’t want to send someone off. When is the time it becomes a red card?

“I don’t know. It’s a bit of a grey area for me. I don’t know if that is the reason, but it’s hard to understand why that isn’t given.I’ve not spoken to the referee about it, just the fourth official, and calmly, I may add.”