League: EPL Sport: Soccer Country: England Category: Scores & Results

Mick McCarthy earns first Premier League win as Sunderland triumphs at Middlesbrough

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 25, 2026, 5:00 AM

Last updated Sep 25, 2026

Mick McCarthy earns first Premier League win as Sunderland triumphs at Middlesbrough

Summary

On September 25, 2005, Sunderland secured their first Premier League victory under manager Mick McCarthy, defeating Middlesbrough 2-0 at Riverside Stadium. After a challenging start to the season with five defeats and a draw, the win marked a brief respite in an otherwise struggling campaign. Tommy Miller scored the opener within two minutes, and Julio Arca added a second from a free-kick in the second half. While the victory offered hope, Sunderland continued to face difficulties throughout the season, ultimately leading to further challenges for McCarthy.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•Sunderland wins 2-0 against Middlesbrough on September 25, 2005.
•Tommy Miller scores within two minutes of kickoff.
•Julio Arca doubles the lead with a free-kick in the second half.
•Sunderland had previously struggled with five losses and a draw.
•The win did not significantly improve Sunderland's season trajectory.

Latest Updates

5:00 AMYahoo Sports — OTD (25/09/2005): When Mick McCarthy Finally Had Something to Smile About

What they're saying

"
After five defeats and a draw to start the season, Mick McCarthy finally had something to celebrate as Sunderland won at Middlesbrough - but the victory would prove to be only a brief reprieve from a season of struggle.
— Yahoo Sports

Related Teams & Leagues

EPL Soccer