Sport

Whelan puts the pressure on Reid

Sunderland 0 Middlesbrough 1: Another day in English football, another unpleasant controversy

By Michael Walker at the Stadium of Light
Wed Jan 30 2002 - 00:00

Sunderland 0 Middlesbrough 1: Another day in English football, another unpleasant controversy. Rather than recording what was a mildly historic victory for Middlesbrough on Wearside, their first there for five years, attention last night focused on the oral activities of their defender Gianluca Festa, who was dismissed six minutes into the second half for seemingly spitting in the face of Kevin Phillips.

Festa had not been booked prior to that and can expect a lengthy ban if the Football Association confirm the referee Paul Durkin's report.

Unsurprisingly that overshadowed a scrappy match but one in which Boro, led superbly from the back by Gareth Southgate, eased their acute relegation pains.

Noel Whelan was their matchwinner, finishing clinically in the 14th minute, and that intervention increased Sunderland disaffection with the manager Peter Reid. Stewards had to restrain Sunderland fans from the home dugout.

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. The opening minutes were as expected of a derby: hectic, physical, scarred by stoppages and full-on tackles. Neither goalkeeper had made a save, however, when Middlesbrough went ahead, but Sunderland must have felt they were getting the upper hand.

When Phillips was fouled by Jonathan Greening to earn Sunderland a well-positioned free-kick just outside the visitors' area, the home fans sensed a breakthrough was imminent. It was, but it did not come as they anticipated.

Stefan Schwarz took the free-kick but scuffed his effort into the three-man wall.

Phil Stamp, one of the three, then knocked the ball over Schwarz and set off on a 60-yard charge upfield. Stamp had the composure once deep in Sunderland territory to look up and find Whelan.

SUNDERLAND: Sorensen, Gray, Haas (Bellion 81), Craddock, Varga, Kilbane, Schwarz, Reyna, McAteer (Arca 69), Quinn, Phillips. Subs Not Used: Macho, Williams, McCartney.

MIDDLESBROUGH: Crossley, Queudrue, Southgate, Gavin, Festa, Stockdale, Greening, Ince, Stamp (Mustoe 72), Windass (Gordon 55), Whelan (Campbell 82). Subs Not Used: Beresford, Marinelli. Sent Off: Festa (52). Booked: Greening, Whelan. Goals: Whelan 14.

Referee: P Durkin (Dorset).