More misery for McCarthy

The future of Mick McCarty’s Sunderland as a Premiership side looked dead and buried tonight, as Middlesbrough secured a convincing victory over their north-east rivals at the Stadium of Light.

The Teessiders last won in the league on November 20 and were keen to avoid the Black Cats completing a season double against them.

Emanuel Pogatetz’s looping header in the 19th minute gave Boro – 17th at kick-off – the start they wanted and Stuart Parnaby added the second after Mark Viduka held the ball up and teed it up for him to shoot low past Kelvin Davis.

Victory was assured after 70 minutes when Gaizka Mendieta helped the ball through to Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who drilled a powerful shot into the bottom corner to lift some of the pressure on Boro boss Steve McClaren.

For rock-bottom Sunderland it was back to losing ways after they beat West Brom at The Hawthorns in their last league outing.

Everton’s run of four straight Premiership victories ended at the JJB Stadium as they were held 1-1 by Wigan.

David Moyes’ men grabbed the lead in the ninth minute when Tim Cahill’s shot deflected into the path of Leon Osman, but as he shaped to shoot the final touch beyond Latics goalkeeper Mike Pollitt came from David Thompson tracking back.

However, Paul Jewell’s men levelled on the stroke of half-time when Pascal Chimbonda put the ball into the danger area and Paul Scharner got forward to score.

There was a bad-tempered end to the night as Duncan Ferguson – who had only been on the field for five minutes as a substitute – was sent off for the visitors after lashing out at Scharner, and Jason Roberts was dismissed shortly afterwards for swinging an elbow at David Weir.

Charlton could not find a way past West Brom at The Valley, Darren Bent going close in the first half for the Addicks while Geoff Horsfield hit the post with a header. The Baggies dropped to 17th because of Middlesbrough’s victory.

Fulham claimed their eighth home victory of the season thanks to Carlos Bocanegra’s late headed winner.

Spurs had Michael Dawson sent off for a second bookable offence in the second half as he brought down Heidar Helguson just outside the box.

With seconds left of normal time the Cottagers claimed the victory as Simon Elliott played a free-kick into the box and American defender Bocanegra flung himself at the ball to score.