SUNDERLAND continued their chase for League One promotion with a hard fought draw against Ipswich Town. 

James Norwood handed the home side the lead at Portman Road on the stroke of half-time before Nathan Broadhead finished off a lovely move for the Black Cats equaliser. 

Digital Sports Writer Matty Jones was watching the game in Suffolk and rated the player's performance. 

SUNDERLAND

6 Hoffman – Shaky first half but handled efforts and crosses well in the second

7 Wright – Helped weather the first half storm and made a huge block in the closing stages.

6 Flanagan – Looked uncomfortable on the ball at times but improved in the second half.

5 Doyle – Struggled all after on the left. Burns pace was giving him plenty to contend with.

5 Dajaku – Failed to get into the game and it ended early thanks to a first half injury.

6 Winchester – Battled really well in the heart of the midfield and showed plenty of energy.

8 Neil – Played a huge part in the equaliser with skill to get away from his man and the eye to set up the goal. Some player for his age.

5 Gooch – Out of position and it showed. Struggled to cope with the pace of both wingers.

6 Pritchard – His influence on the game grew in the second half but the physicality of the game might have been too much.

8 Broadhead – Provided an attacking threat all game and took his goal really well. Proving to be a big part of the Sunderland side.

6 Stewart – A quiet game for the striker who was bumped and bruised. Should have done better with a second half chance.

Subs:

7 Hume (40’) – Gave a natural balance when he came on and kept Burns at bay in the second half.

6 Embleton 63’ – Threatened well with a couple of second half corners.

O’Brien 87’ N/A

Subs not used: Patterson, Alves, Younger, Kimpioka

IPSWICH: Walton 7; Donacien 7, Edmundson 6, Woolfenden 6, Penney 7 (Vincent-Young 63’ 7); Burns 8, Morsy 7, Evans 6, Aluko 8; Bonne 6, Norwood 7 (Chaplin 70’ 6)

Subs not used: Hladky, Burgess, Carroll, Fraser, Pigott

Goals: Norwood 45+1’ (header off the underside of the bar from deflected Bonne cross), Broadhead 52’ (low finish after latching onto through ball)

Bookings: Winchester 52’ (pulling on the shirt of Evans), Flanagan 60’ (holding onto the ball and time wasting), Stewart 62’ (kicking the heels of Burns who was running through), Burns 69’ (shoving Hume to the floor)

Referee: Thomas Bramall – handled the game well when it got physical at times. All yellow cards were spot on.

Attendance: 29,005 (2,023)

Entertainment: ****

Man of the match: Wes Burns – Terrorised Sunderland all afternoon with his pace and energy.

Man of the match: Wes Burns – Terrorised Sunderland all afternoon with his pace and energy.