How did the players fare in Sunderland's 3-0 win at Reading?
READING (3-5-2):
Lumley 5; Holmes 4, Hutchinson 4 (Meite 65, 4), McIntyre 4; YIADOM 5, Hendrick 4, Fornah 4, Loum 4 (Rahman 46, 4), Hoilett 4; Ince 5, Joao 4 (Craig 85).
Subs (not used): Bouzanis (gk), Guinness-Walker, Abrefa, Ehibhatiomhan.
SUNDERLAND (3-4-2-1):
7 Patterson: Only had one save to make – and did it well as he kept out Ince’s shot before the break
7 O’Nien: Didn’t look out of place when he had to play as a centre-half in a back four throughout the second half
8 Batth: Won everything that came his way in Sunderland’s defensive third – dominated Joao in the air
8 Alese: Oozed class and composure on his first league start for the Black Cats – impressed in a back three and a four
7 Gooch: Was comfortable as both a wing-back and a full-back and helped keep Sunderland on the front foot
8 Neil: Produced an excellent display full of slick passing and bright running – claimed the assist for Clarke’s goal
7 Evans: Played an important role holding things together at the base of midfield as the rest of his team-mates poured forward
9 Clarke: Really came into his own after being pushed forward in the second half – scored with an excellent composed finish
8 Pritchard: Ran himself into the ground as a false nine after Simms’ departure and played some brilliant passes in the final third
9 ROBERTS: Delivered a sensational performance as he scored two goals before the interval and ripped Reading apart cutting in from the flank
6 Simms: Was causing the Reading defence problems before a foot injury forced him off towards the end of the first half
Subs:
8 Embleton (for Simms, 37): Made an immediate impact as he delivered the crucial pass for both of Roberts’ first-half goals
Diallo (for Roberts, 73)
Matete (for Pritchard, 73)
Bennette (for Evans, 82)
(not used): Bass (gk), Hume, Dajaku.
Man Of The Match: PATRICK ROBERTS – More than answered his manager’s call as he scored two brilliant first-half goals.
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