Sunderland sneak past Boro

Sunderland secured their place in the FA Cup fifth round after claiming a 2-1 extra-time victory against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium in a thrilling fourth round replay.

The two teams couldn’t be split in their fourth round clash earlier in the month, forcing the tie into a replay, which itself couldn’t find a winner between the two over 90 minutes, with it taking extra-time before a victor could be crowned.

A stunning Jack Colback strike in the first half gave the Premier League side the lead going into the break, only for Tony Mowbray’s team to come out of the half-time interval rejuvenated, Lukas Jutkiewicz grabbing a deserved equaliser just after an hour to give the hosts belief of causing an upset. Those following Betfair will know how tight the game was.

In-form forward Stephane Sessegnon popped up at the right place with the tie only seven minutes away from penalties, clinically finishing from inside the area to send Sunderland into a fifth round clash against Arsenal, earning O’Neill his ninth victory in 13 matches since he took over.

The Northern Irishman was delighted after seeing his side claim the win, admitting he felt Sunderland were the better team on the night although the FA Cup betting suggested they should have made lighter work of it.

“I thought we were the better all-round football team and I’m delighted that we won the game.”

“It’s a fantastic effort by the players. I thought they did exceptionally well. I thought we were comfortable when we conceded the goal and in a thrilling Cup tie we’re through.”

Arsene Wenger will certainly know his Arsenal team will have their work cut out when they travel up to the Stadium of Light later this month. O’Neill has turned Sunderland from relegation candidates into one of the country’s most in-form teams. This year’s FA Cup could well be a tournament that Sunderland will be looking at with realistic chance of success.