How did the players fare in Sunderland's 2-1 home defeat to Plymouth Argyle?


SUNDERLAND (4-4-2):

5 Burge: Couldn’t be blamed for either goal, although his distribution often left quite a bit to be desired

4 Sanderson: Didn’t look comfortable at right-back in the first half, but improved marginally after being moved infield

4 Wright: Tried to be the dominant figure at the heart of the Sunderland defence, but was exposed by the movement of the Plymouth attack

4 Willis: Looked to be struggling for a while before he was forced to hobble off with an injury recurrence shortly before half-time

5 McFadzean: Didn’t always convince defensively, but delivered the cross that resulted in O’Brien’s headed goal

6 DIAMOND: Was the pick of the Sunderland side, largely because he was one of the few players always looking to get on the front foot

4 Winchester: Will have been disappointed by his lack of impact on his first Sunderland start – made too many sideways passes

4 Scowen: Wasted some decent positions in and around the penalty area with some sloppy passes and wasteful finishing

4 McGeady: Failed to convert the best chance of the game when he shot too close to the keeper in the first half

6 O’Brien: Took his headed goal well as he ghosted in front of his marker and also threatened with a back-heeled effort in the first half

5 Wyke: Put himself about with plenty of enthusiasm, but never looked like adding to his weekend hat-trick


Subs:

5 Power (for Willis, 36): Helped make the right of Sunderland’s defence more solid in the first half, even if his forward forays were limited

Embleton (for McFadzean, 71)

Maguire (for McGeady, 71)

Leadbitter (for Winchester, 78)

(not used): Matthews (gk), Younger, O’Nien.


PLYMOUTH (3-5-2):

Cooper 7; Aimson 6, Opoku 8, Watts 7; Edwards 7, GRANT 8, Fornah 6, Mayor 6, Lewis 7 (Reeves 63, 5); Jephcott 6 (Ennis 75), Hardie 6.

Subs (not used): McCormick (gk), Wootton, Nouble, Telford, Tomlinson.


Man Of The Match: CONOR GRANT – The Plymouth midfielder had a hand in both of his side’s goals and helped the visitors control the central area.