Michael Chopra Earned Sunderland Three Points

Substitute Michael Chopra earned Sunderland all three points by scoring two goals in Sunderland's 2-0 derby victory over Middlesbrough in the Barclays Premier League.

The former Newcastle United striker came off the bench to slot home an 81st-minute shot, and then added a second in injury time to seal the win.

England winger Stewart Downing had fired a 75th-minute penalty over the bar to let the Wearsiders off the hook.

The midfielder, who thumped his last spot-kick against the bar, blasted over to give Sunderland the impetus to go on and win the spoils in front of a crowd of 38,388.

Gareth Southgate would have been the happier manager at the break having seen his side limit their hosts to a series of long-range efforts which never really troubled keeper Ross Turnbull, while at the same time forcing Craig Gordon to make two excellent saves.

Boro controlled much of the first half because they were able to dictate the pace in the middle of the park through Gary O'Neil and the excellent Didier Digard.

Indeed, it was not until Steed Malbranque started to come inside and pull the strings that the Wearsiders made an impression.

Southgate's men were even able to survive the loss of striker Mido to a groin injury in the warm-up as record signing Afonso Alves, originally reduced to the rank of substitute, was handed a late reprieve.

They would have taken the lead with 19 minutes gone had Gordon not reacted to smartly to Downing's snapshot after Alves' free-kick had been blocked into his path.

Michael Chopra to Miss First Three Games of the Season

Sunderland striker Michael Chopra has been ruled out for first three games of the season, Roy Keane confirmed today. The decision to ban the Sunderland striker after he picked up a red card in a pre-season friendly only came through yesterday and Keane said: "It didn't put me in the best of moods, but, to be honest, I had expected it."

Chopra received a straight red for a mistimed challenge in the game against Sporting Lisbon in Portugal last month. Keane was also sent to the stands in the incident, complaining about the injustice of the decision.

Referee Bruno Paixao has taken no action against the Sunderland manager but has enforced the ban against Chopra which means that not only will he miss his side's opening game against Liverpool but will be out of contention in the following matches against Tottenham and Manchester City.

It is a major blow to Sunderland who now find themselves without their two leading goalscorers from last season, with Kenwyne Jones currently side-lined for six to eight weeks with knee damage. Keane, though, is content that he now has the squad strength to ensure Liverpool are given a stern examination this Saturday.

Roy Keane told the Echo: "We've brought in some quality players this summer and they give us a few more options when it comes to who we might put out. On the injury front, Pascal Chimbonda, Kieran Richardson, Danny Higginbotham and Phil Bardsley have all shaken off niggly injuries and the only one who will definitely miss the start of the season with a knock is Dwight Yorke. I haven't finalised what my selection will be for Saturday's game, but the lads have been in great form in training and there's real competition for places. Of course, there are a few areas where we want to strengthen and I think those have been well documented. But I don't expect to have any new faces in by the weekend. That of course can change by the hour, and I know Niall Quinn and Peter Walker are working very hard in that direction. But I have to say that I am happy with the squad I'm taking into the new season. Every manager would like to have more and I am no different but I can't complain."