How did the players fare in Sunderland's 1-0 win over Swindon?
SUNDERLAND (3-4-3):
7 Burge: Kept out Twine’s first-half free-kick and made a crucial second-half after Pitman broke into the box
7 Power: Did a job as one of the three centre-halves in the first half, but looked happier at full-back after the break
8 SANDERSON: Continues to revel in the added responsibility that has been piled on his shoulders in the last few weeks
7 O’Nien: Another rock-solid display from a player who look at home wherever he is positioned on the field
6 Gooch: Was just starting to carry a threat from his repositioned midfield role when an injury forced him off on the hour mark
5 Scowen: Produced too many sideways passes that slowed Sunderland down – needs to be more adventurous in possession
6 Winchester: Ensured Leadbitter was not too badly missed as he mopped up neatly in front of the Sunderland backline
6 McFadzean: Tried to get forward from wing-back in the first half, but looks more at home playing in a back four
6 Jones: Made a couple of decent early runs, but had faded as an attacking force by the time he was taken off in the second half
7 Wyke: Did what all good strikers do – took the one real chance that came his way to turn a draw into a valuable win
5 McGeady: Wasn’t quite at it for most of the night, with his set-piece delivery in the opening hour especially disappointing
Subs:
6 O’Brien (for Gooch, 61): Added some impetus in the closing stages and came close to adding a second with a late volley
7 Maguire (for Jones, 62): Had a positive effect from the bench for the second game in a row – claimed the assist for Wyke’s winner
Diamond (for McGeady, 90)
Neil (for Scowen, 90)
(not used): Matthews (gk), Vokins, Younger.
SWINDON (3-5-2):
Trueman 6; Conroy 5, Broadbent 6, Grounds 6; Hunt 4, Palmer 4 (Missilou 82), TWINE 7, Payne 4, Thompson 5 (Hope 71); Garrick 4, Pitman 4 (Omotoye 74).
Subs (not used): Matthews (gk), Caddis, Iandolo, Curran.
Man Of The Match: DION SANDERSON – With performances like this, it is no wonder Sunderland are so keen to sign him permanently in the summer.
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