An energetic start on Monday night saw the hosts rewarded when Delano Burgzorg slotted home from Hayden Hackney's defence-splitting pass, but despite Middlesbrough's dominance, the Black Cats equalised after Dan Neil's shot took a deflection off George Edmundson and into the net.
Sunderland took the lead early in the second half through Wilson Isidor's cool finish before Hackney pulled Boro back level minutes later.
However, a late twist saw Giles' 87th-minute own goal prove to be the decisive moment as the Black Cats move level on points with third-placed Burnley in the Championship table, while Boro remain stuck outside the play-off positions in seventh.
Absolute SCENES. — Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) pic.twitter.com/ruaHLjvUbUFebruary 3, 2025
Middlesbrough's bright start was rewarded 11 minutes in when Hackney threaded a brilliant pass into Burgzorg, who burst through the centre of the Sunderland defence to tuck the ball into the bottom corner.
Boro remained in control, exposing the Black Cats' defence again as Hackney sprinted into plenty of space in the middle of the pitch before flicking a pass to an unmarked Marcus Forss on the left, but his shot flew over the crossbar.
Sunderland levelled in the 33rd minute when Chris Rigg had a shot blocked and the ball was cleared to the edge of the box where captain Neil was lurking and hit a strong effort, which deflected in off Edmundson.
The visitors began to look more confident after the goal and took the lead six minutes into the second half after a brilliant through ball from Enzo Le Fee found Isidor and in a one-on-one situation, the striker calmly took the ball around Bournemouth loanee Mark Travers before rolling into an empty net.
However, Boro were soon back on level terms when Aidan Morris picked up possession just outside the area and tapped the ball to Hackney who fired a venomous shot past Anthony Patterson in the 59th minute.
Forss had a shot blocked before Travers pushed a low Isidor effort wide as both sides looked to edge ahead, but a pulsating game saw Sunderland claim three points at the death when Le Fee's cross from the left bounced off the unfortunate Giles and into the bottom corner.
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