How did the players fare in Sunderland's 1-1 draw with Bristol Rovers?
SUNDERLAND (3-4-3):
4 Burge: Had a horrendous start as he compounded his initial error by fouling Mitchell-Lawson for Bristol Rovers’ penalty
6 Willis: Wasn’t really troubled on the right of Sunderland’s back three and tended to use the ball fairly well when in possession
5 Wright: Won most of his aerial battles, but was extremely fortunate to stay on the pitch when he hauled down Hanlan in the second half
6 Flanagan: Kept Bristol Rovers’ forwards on a tight rein and tried to step out of defence when the opportunity arose
6 O’Nien: Got into some good positions down the right-hand side and came close with a first-half shot that was deflected narrowly wide
4 Dobson: Ensured a disappointing afternoon would come to a fittingly poor end when he careered into Mitchell-Lawson and was sent off
7 POWER: The pick of Sunderland’s players as he tried to push his side forward – couldn’t have come much closer with his strike that was tipped on to the bar
6 Hume: Played a left winger for much of the game, but the standard of his final ball into the penalty area was mixed
7 Maguire: Never stopped trying to make an impact and his persistence was rewarded when he slammed home Sunderland’s equaliser
5 Grigg: Suffered a frustrating afternoon as he never really looked like scoring – his place is under threat from both Wyke and Graham
6 O’Brien: Showed some nice touches in the final third, but failed to convert the two or three half-chances that came his way
Subs:
5 Graham (for Grigg, 67): Added some power and physicality in the closing stages – has to be an option to start at Oxford
Wyke (for O’Brien, 78)
Gooch (for Wright, 78)
(not used): Matthews (gk), Xhemajli, Leadbitter, Scowen.
BRISTOL ROVERS (3-5-2):
Jaakkola 7; Harries 6, Kilgour 7, EHMER 8; Little 6, Westbrooke 5, Grant 6, Nicholson 6 (Hargreaves 66, 5), Leahy 7 (Tutonda 73); Hanlan 6 (Ayunga 55, 5), Mitchell-Lawson 7.
Subs (not used): Van Stappershoef (gk), Daly, Baldwin, Hare.
Man Of The Match: MAX EHMER – The Bristol Rovers centre-half was the key to his side’s successful rearguard action as he kept Grigg under wraps all afternoon.
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