Michael Chopra returned to the Sunderland Football Club side in some style on Saturday.

The striker has been absent of late as he deals with some personal problems, but he came off the bench to hit a late double after Stewart Downing had missed a penalty for Middlesbrough.

"We rode our luck a bit today and it was probably written for Chopra,” Roy Keane told the official Black Cats website following the 2-0 home win. "It's good to have Michael back.

“He's had a difficult time but he looked back to his old self today. He's been a big player for me, people forget that. He scored some important goals last year and he took his opportunity today.

"I take my hat off to Boro, they are a good team. I like the way they play, the way they attack, they have a go. I've been lucky in my three games against Middlesbrough, today and twice last season.

"Craig Gordon made some good saves, as did their keeper, and obviously they missed a penalty, that was a big turning point. Even the top players can miss penalties."