A late Sanli Tuncay goal saw Middlesbrough secure a hard fought victory against a 10 man Stoke City side when the two sides met in their Premiership clash on Saturday.

Stoke had been reduced to 10 men after Amdy Faye had been sent off for a tackle on Mohamed Shawky and Boro took the lead from the free kick through Afonso Alves. The visitors managed to equalize through an own goal by Justin Hoyte in the 71st minute but Tuncay secured all three points for Boro by scoring the winner 5 minutes before full time.

Stoke City were on a high following their upset win over Aston Villa in the previous week. The newcomers had sent out strong signals that they were not here to fill the numbers with that win.

And they started out with intent in the game against Boro at the Riverside. The game was tepid for most of the first half and only came to life after Amdy Faye was sent off for a two-footed lunge on Mohamed Shawky.

The resulting free-kick saw Boro's new signing Afonso Alves finally come good when he coolly slotted home off the bar. Thereafter it was all Boro as Tuncay's first time shot off a Jeremie Aliadiere cross was deflected off the post.

In the 64th minute, Olofinjana pulled down Alves in the box and Stewart Downing could have wrapped up the game, but his penalty rebounded back towards the halfway line from the cross bar. Boro still looked in control, but a Liam cross in the 71st minute found its way into the Boro net courtesy an own goal from Hoyte.

Just when it looked like Stoke will gain a valuable point, Tuncay clinched the win with a goal from close range.