How did the players fare in Sunderland’s 1-1 draw at Rotherham United?


ROTHERHAM (5-3-2):

Johansson 6; Lembikisa 5 (Appiah 77), Odoffin 6, Morrison 6, Revan 5, Bramall 5; Lindsay 5, Tiehi 5, Clucas 7 (Cafu 67, 4); HUGILL 7 (Eaves 77), Nombe 6 (Kelly 77).

Subs (not used): Phillips (gk), McGuckin.


SUNDERLAND (4-2-3-1):

7 Patterson: Made three excellent saves within the space of a minute in the first half – didn’t have a chance with Rotherham’s goal

4 Seelt: Looked like a centre-half being asked to play at full-back – constantly wanted to cut back inside or play the ball backwards

5 O’Nien: Battled away gamely enough, but didn’t really look comfortable against the physical threat posed by Hugill

6 Ballard: Won a number of important headers as Rotherham hurled the ball into the box and stood up to the physical test well

5 Hume: Wasn’t really able to get forward at all down the left-hand side, but got stuck in when he had to

6 Neil: Improved as the night wore on as he tried to get Sunderland going from midfield

4 Ekwah: Couldn’t exert any authority or control at the heart of midfield – his defensive header led to Clucas’ opener

5 Roberts: Lasted less than quarter-of-an-hour before he went down with a muscular injury after clearing the ball in his own half

4 Aouchiche: Spent most of the first half playing as the central striker, but didn’t look comfortable in the role and was replaced at half-time

8 CLARKE: Everything that Sunderland did well went through him – earned his piece of luck for the goal by always trying to be positive

6 Bellingham: Quickly dropped back into midfield from his initial starting position up front and improved in the latter stages


Subs:

6 Ba (for Roberts, 14): Made a couple of dangerous late breaks infield, but the quality of his passing was mixed

5 Burstow (for Aouchiche, 46): Wasn’t really a factor after coming off the bench for the start of the second half

6 Pembele (for Seelt, 63): Looked athletic and dangerous as he came on to make his senior debut in the final half-hour

7 Pritchard (for Ekwah, 63): Made a massive difference in the closing stages of the game – his cross led to Clarke’s equaliser

(not used): Bishop (gk), Triantis, Alese, Bennette, Rusyn.


Man Of The Match: JACK CLARKE – It is now three months since anyone other than the Sunderland winger scored in an away game for the Black Cats.