How did the players fare in Sunderland’s 2-1 win over Sheffield United?
SUNDERLAND (4-4-2):
8 Patterson: Kept out Moore’s penalty with his legs and made a crucial late save from Brooks’ driven strike
7 Hume: Defended solidly on Sunderland’s right-hand side and tried to get forward when possible
7 Mepham: Made some important blocks in his own 18-yard box and handled the physical threat of Moore
5 O’Nien: A difficult night – conceded the penalty with a tug on Moore and headed Hamer’s cross into his own net
7 Alese: Justified his recall in place of Cirkin with a committed and aggressive defensive display
6 Roberts: Started reasonably brightly, but wasn’t really a factor for much of the second half
8 Neil: Put out a lot of fires at the heart of midfield and ensured Sunderland were able to retain control of the game
7 Bellingham: Made a number of dangerous forward breaks, but shot wastefully over the bar in the second half
7 Aouchiche: Has become increasingly effective since returning to the side, and looked comfortable cutting in from the left
9 MAYENDA: A revelation as he was restored to a central attacking role – opened the scoring and set up Isidor’s winner
8 Isidor: Produced a clinical angled finish to restore Sunderland’s lead and was a goalscoring threat throughout
Subs:
Hjelde (for Aouchiche, 84)
Rusyn (for Isidor, 90+3)
(not used): Moore (gk), Cirkin, Johnson, Jones, Aleksic, Connolly, Ogunsuyi.
SHEFF UTD (4-2-3-1):
Cooper 5; Gilchrist 6 (Brooks 60, 6), Ahmedhodzic 6, Robinson 5, McCallum 6 (Norrington-Davies 79); Davies 5, Peck 5 (Burrows 60, 5); O’Hare 4 (One 79), Brewster 5, HAMER 6; Moore 4.
Subs (not used): Davies (gk), Baptiste, Marsh, Blacker, Boyes.
Man Of The Match: ELIEZER MAYENDA – The Spaniard looked a completely different proposition restored to a central attacking role.
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