MIDDLESBROUGH, England, Oct 23:Two scruffy goals in the opening 20 minutes gave Middlesbrough a 2-0 English Premier League victory over north-east rivals Sunderland on Monday.

Middlesbrough, who had lost three of their opening four home games this season, deserved the points for their first-half dominance but had to defend solidly after the interval, particularly in the last 20 minutes following the sending-off of midfielder Paul Ince.

The victory took Boro up to 13th place in the table on 11 points, one spot behind Sunderland.

Middlesbrough made a flying start after two minutes as new French loan acquisition Franck Queudrue beat goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen to a corner and watched the ball loop over a cluster of defenders on the line.

More poor defending gave Alen Boksic time to make it two in the 20th minute, though the Croatian’s header would not have troubled the keeper but for a deflection off the head of Jody Craddock.

Michael Gray and McAteer had good efforts saved by Mark Schwarzer and Phillips sent a fierce drive a fraction wide after an hour.

Middlesbrough captain Ince, who had run himself into the ground a day after his 34th birthday, was sent off in the 71st minute after a petulant slap at Quinn’s face.—Reuters