How did the players fare in Sunderland's 4-1 win over Rochdale?
SUNDERLAND (3-5-2):
7 McLaughlin: Didn’t have a lot to do, but made a fine second-half double save to deny Andrew and Henderson
7 Flanagan: Promoted to the line-up for his first league start and added some welcome physicality to the backline
6 Loovens: Had a couple of shaky moments early on, but looked much more comfortable once Sunderland got on top
7 Baldwin: Another composed display from the centre-half, whose aerial ability was a key part of his side’s defending
8 Gooch: Revelled in his wing-back role and scored two goals in a game for the first time in his professional career
6 Honeyman: Helped Sunderland establish control of the central area, but could still be more precise with some of his forward passes
7 Cattermole: Rochdale’s manager thought he controlled the game, and he used the ball intelligently throughout
7 McGeouch: Kept things neat and tidy as he made his second league start and rarely conceded possession
8 Hume: Preferred to Oviedo, and more than justified his inclusion as he tore up and down the left-hand side
9 MAGUIRE: Set up Maja’s opening goal and ran the Rochdale defence ragged as he charged around the attacking third
8 Maja: Took his goals superbly – if he keeps this up, he could be the EFL’s Young Player of the Year for two months in a row
Subs:
6 Sinclair (for Maja, 69): The game was done and dusted by the time he came on, but his pace still enabled him to carry a threat
McGeady (for Maguire, 73)
Oviedo (for Gooch, 85)
(not used): Ruiter (gk), Matthews, James, O’Nien.
ROCHDALE (4-2-3-1):
Lillis 5; Rafferty 5, Delaney 4, McGahey 4, HART 6; Rathbone 5 (Adshead 63, 5), Camps 4; Andrew 4, Henderson 5, Gillam 4 (Williams 54, 5); Wilbraham 5 (Done 63, 5).
Subs (not used): McNulty (gk), Perkins, Moore, Matheson.
Man Of The Match: CHRIS MAGUIRE – He might not have got on the scoresheet, but Maguire’s tireless running was at the heart of Sunderland’s dominant attacking display.
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