Regis Le Bris explained his half-time words to his Sunderland side that clearly worked, as his side came from behind to run out 3-2 winners over Middlesbrough at the Riverside.

Boro took the lead in just the 11th minute of the game through Delano Burgzorg before familar frustrations affected them once more. All three Sunderland goals started from attacks in which Boro gave away possession in their own half.

For Sunderland, they had to weather an early storm, from which Boro could, and maybe should have been three goals to the good. Having not though, they were pegged back before the break before an inspired start to the second half caught Boro cold, with the viistors taking the lead early after the restart.

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Boro did recover well enough from the setback and Hayden Hackney rocketed home what looked certain to be enough to earn Boro a point. It wasn't to be, however, with Ryan Giles conceding a cruel own goal right at the end.

Assessing the game from his side's perspective, Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris said: “I think that Middlesbrough started very well. They played really good football. We expected this but when you are on the pitch, you have to manage the situation.\z

“They played very well in the first half and we conceded many situations, I think we were lucky not to concede a second goal. We stayed in the game but we were a little bit impatient, we knew they were good in possession with the ability to pin the central corridor and play out wide, in behind, through.

“Maybe we lost our patience in this period and were sloppy on the ball. Progressively, we got back into the game but not enough for this contest, this team. During half-time, we spoke about the character we needed, that we needed more passion and more confidence.

“The second half was very good, I think. It was an intense game against a strong game, away from home. We had to play with passion to find that extra percent. We knew that this would make the difference.”