Sunderland will be in a relegation fight admits David Moyes after defeats in opening two fixtures

• Sunderland were beaten at home by North-East rivals Middlesbrough 
• David Moyes admits his side will face a struggle to stay in Premier League
• Moyes says he hopes things will improve, but it will not be dramatic
• Aitor Karanka insists his side deserved their win at the Stadium of Light
• David Moyes has warned Sunderland supporters to prepare for another Premier League relegation scrap.
  The Black Cats were beaten 2-1 at home to North-East rivals Middlesbrough on Sunday to leave them on zero points after two games.
  Moyes said upon his arrival at the Stadium of Light last month that the club could no longer celebrate finishing fourth from bottom each season.
  

  
  

  David Moyes has warned Sunderland supporters to prepare for another relegation scrap
  

  
  

  Moyes's exasperation was clear as he watched his side lose again in the Premier League
  But after a troubled start to his reign - he told Lamine Kone to stay away from the stadium after questioning the legitimacy of his injury amid a £14million offer from Everton - the former Manchester United boss is predicting a fight for survival.
  
  

  'Fans would be right (if they feared relegation) because that's what we've had here for four years,' said Moyes.

  'Why would it suddenly change? I think we will be in a relegation fight.

  

  
  

  Moyes is still looking for a first point since taking over at the Stadium of Light this summer

  'People will be flat because they'll be hoping something can dramatically change, but it can't dramatically change.

  'We hope things will improve. This is the group we've got for now, but we will add to it.' 

  Moyes played the second half without a recognised central midfielder after Jack Rodwell was forced to drop into defence to cover for the injured John O'Shea.

  

  
  

  Steven Pienaar shows dismay as Sunderland went down 2-1 against Middlesbrough

  

  Jermain Defoe helped spark last season's survival, and another scrap is on the cards

  The situation with centre back Kone - who told Moyes he had a back injury on Friday - is having an unsettling effect and the Scot also lost Younes Kaboul to Watford last week.

  Moyes, though, was pleased with the performance against Boro.

  'It was hard to take,' said Moyes, whose side trailed to a Cristhian Stuani double at the break.

  'I wasn't sure it was the right result at half-time. 

  'But we picked up again in the second half and I don't think anyone could have complained with a 2-2 scoreline.' 

  Boro boss Aitor Karanka disagreed. 'It is a moment to enjoy and we have shown we are ready for the Premier League,' said the Spaniard. 

  'We have quality players - last week it was Alvaro Negredo (who scored during the 1-1 draw with Stoke), this week it is Stuani.'

  

  
  

  Cristhian Stuani's double was enough to secure the win for Aitor Karanka's side on Sunday

  

  
  

  While Moyes claimed his side deserved a draw, Boro boss Karanka disagreed