DAN Neil believes Sunderland underlined their promotion credentials with their hugely impressive win at Middlesbrough - and was delighted to exorcise the ghost of his red card pain against the same opponents last season.

Neil's first half sending off paved the way for Boro to run riot when the two sides met at the Stadium of Light in October 2023.

But fast forward 15 months and Neil playing a starring role as Sunderland ended a 20-year-wait for a win on Teesside - and passed what the midfielder believes will prove to be one of their toughest tests in the Championship promotion run-in.

“I think last year at home, I got a lot of stick for that (red card), so I'm happy to do the double on them this year, because like I said, it's a really tough place to come, and we've struggled here the last two years,” said Neil, who cupped his ears to the Boro fans as he celebrated the goal that cancelled out Delano Burgzorg's opener.

“We nicked a point last year. We probably didn't deserve to nick a point last year, but today I thought we fully deserved the three points, and it could have been by more, to be honest.”

Boro's home record this season isn't great but Neil still believes the Riverside is an extremely difficult place to visit, and, not for the first time this season, hailed the character of his side for digging deep.

Sunderland fought back from 1-0 down to lead 2-1, and then recovered from Hayden Hackney's equaliser to win it late on thanks to Ryan Giles' own-goal.

RECOMMENDED READING

• Jayden Danns situation explained as striker joins Sunderland but returns to Liverpool

• Regis Le Bris' coaching call as Mike Dodds leaves Sunderland for Wycombe

It was a first Sunderland win on Teesside since 2005.

Neil said: “I think that again tells you how tough it is to come here. The crowd's always right behind us. We came out with a fire show and flags today, and it was absolutely bouncing in the stands. We said that we had to get through the first 20, and we didn't manage to do that completely, but like I said, the character of the squad is unquestioned now.

“We've done it so many times this year, where we go a goal behind and we bounce straight back. So, yeah, I thought it was a really good reaction by the lads, and it shows their character and togetherness. And that away end at the end to get the win to celebrate in front of them.

“I think they probably know that it's a tough place to come to, and it's not an easy place to get three points, and I think if you look at the fixtures we've got left, I think you'd have probably said this is maybe, one of the tough ones that we have to try and get through, especially after the other team's results at the weekend.

“Three points was going to be quite big tonight and the lads took the opportunity by the scruff of the neck and went and won the game."