How did the players fare in Sunderland's play-off success at Portsmouth?
PORTSMOUTH (4-2-3-1):
MacGillivray 6; Thompson 6, Burgess 6, Clarke 6, BROWN 7; Naylor 5, Close 5; Solomon-Otabor 4 (Lowe 52, 5), Pitman 5, Evans 6; Hawkins 5 (Vaughan 68, 4).
Subs (not used): Bass (gk), Walkes, Morris, Dennis, Curtis.
SUNDERLAND (4-2-3-1):
8 McLaughlin: Made three crucial saves, with the pick seeing him save Evans’ close-range header in the first half
8 O’Nien: Defended superbly throughout, and kept his composure when a supporter aimed a kick at him in the crowd
7 Ozturk: Won everything that was hurled in his direction from the touchline and relished the physical battle
8 Flanagan: Marked Hawkins out of the game for the second time in a week and was a major factor in Sunderland’s clean sheet
8 Oviedo: Produced one of his best displays of the season when it mattered most – excellent at both ends of the pitch
8 Leadbitter: Was handed a surprise return to the starting side, and justified Ross’ decision with a characteristically composed display
9 CATTERMOLE: Set the tone from first minute to last – committed and ferocious when he had to be, but composed and mature along with it
7 Honeyman: Was shuffled to the right-hand side as Ross tinkered with his line-up and responded with a fine display
7 Power: Found himself in the ‘number ten’ role and ran himself into the ground to close down Pompey’s players when they were in possession
7 Maguire: Ran himself into the ground as he closed down Pompey’s defenders, but lost his footing at a crucial stage in the first half
7 Wyke: Performed excellently as a lone striker, holding up the ball and buying time by running into the channels
Subs:
6 Gooch (for Maguire, 68): Helped get Sunderland up the field in the closing stages as he tried to stretch the play
Morgan (for Power, 79)
Grigg (for Wyke, 83)
(not used): Ruiter (gk), Matthews, Dunne, Watmore.
Man Of The Match: LEE CATTERMOLE – The midfielder well and truly exorcised any lingering demons from his Wembley penalty miss with a superb central-midfield display
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