Young Middlesbrough winger Marcus Tavernier found the net for the first time in his professional career on Sunday afternoon against Sunderland, with a goal that proved to be decisive as Boro ran out 1-0 winners over their local rivals at the Riverside Stadium.

The 18-year-old, given the nod over a number of seasoned pros, rewarded manager Garry Monk’s faith with the opening goal after just six minutes, with the hard-fought victory lifting Boro into the Sky Bet Championship play off places.

Boro have begun to put together a run of form following a difficult start to the season, with Monk’s superior squad beginning to find their feet after huge personnel changes in the summer.

A number of multi-million summer deals were agreed, but fans will be delighted that it was an academy product - who has been with Boro the past four years having been picked up from Newcastle’s academy - that proved the difference at the weekend.

Fans took to Twitter to respond to Tavernier’s Tweet thanking fans for their support, with Boro’s faithful delighted with the youngster’s contribution…