How did the players fare in Sunderland's 3-0 home win over Rochdale?
SUNDERLAND (3-4-2-1):
6 J McLaughlin: Successfully parried Ryan’s second-half shot, but will not have many quieter games all season
7 Willis: Looks at home on the right of Sunderland’s back three and strode out of defence purposefully on a number of occasions
8 Wright: Marked the experienced Henderson out of the game with a mixture of astute positioning and strong heading
7 Flanagan: Was rock solid in defence all night and looked dangerous when he went forward for set-pieces
8 O’Nien: Set up Gooch’s second goal with a shot that was saved and made a series of dangerous breaks into the box
7 Power: Dominated the heart of midfield and clearly enjoyed the time and space he was afforded by the opposition
7 Dobson: Has successfully cemented his place in Phil Parkinson’s first-choice side and broke up play effectively when required
8 Hume: Found himself in acres of space in the first half and delivered some dangerous balls into the box as a result
8 Gooch: Scored two goals to take his tally for the season to nine and looked a threat whenever he broke into the box
9 MAGUIRE: Helped set up all three of Sunderland’s goals as he ran the Rochdale defence ragged throughout the first half
7 Wyke: Didn’t really have a chance to score, but created space for those around him by tying up Rochdale’s centre-halves
Subs:
Semenyo (for Maguire, 71)
Watmore (for Gooch, 78)
Lafferty (for Wyke, 85)
(not used): Burge (gk), C McLaughlin, Ozturk, Scowen.
ROCHDALE (4-4-2):
Sanchez 5; Matheson 4, O’Connell 4, McNulty 4, Norrington-Davies 3 (Keohane 39, 5); Lund 4, RYAN 5, Morley 4 (Wilbraham 51, 5), Dooley 4; Done 4 (McLaughlin 69, 5), Henderson 4.
Subs (not used): Lynch (gk), McShane, Williams, Smith.
Man Of The Match: CHRIS MAGUIRE – Sunderland’s weekend match-winner turned provider as he helped set up all three of his side’s first-half goals.
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