It took just one Dan Neil expletive to lose his team this derby. No doubt Sunderland fans will be cursing him for some time.
After the hosts had controlled the first-half against local rivals Middlesbrough, Neil senselessly swore at referee Jarred Gillett and received a second yellow card that led to his team’s complete collapse.
Given the midfielder had earlier been booked for a lunge on Josh Coburn, he should have kept his head down and mouth shut.
But what appeared to be sweary complaints to Gillett about a missed foul in first-half stoppage time proved his and his team’s downfall.