Sunderland picked up arguably their biggest win of the season on New Year’s Day, beating Sheffield United 2-1 in a thoroughly entertaining game on Wearside.
Sunderland hosted Sheffield United in a battle at the top of the Championship table on New Year’s Day.
Last time the two met, Sheffield United beat Sunderland 1-0 at Bramall Lane, and the Blades had a golden chance to go 1-0 in the game at the Stadium of Light, but for Anthony Patterson saving Kieffer Moore’s penalty.
Soon after, Eliezer Mayenda put Sunderland in front with his third goal of the season. Though United replied minutes later, with Luke O’Nien putting one into his own goal.
Then capping a hectic first half, Wilson Isidor would turn his man and finishing neatly for 2-1, and his seventh Championship goal of the season.
The second half was as entertaining and end-to-end as the first half, with both sides having chances to score more goals. But it ended 2-1 in what is a fantastic win for the Black Cats.
Sunderland player ratings vs Sheffield United
Anthony Patterson – 6/10
A good penalty save early on. A couple of poor moments in possession including one very nervy moment where he was closed by on his own goal line. Distribution once again questionable but came up good right at the end when it really mattered.
Aji Alese – 6.5/10
Solid defensively. May not be as attacking-minded as Dennis Cirkin but he certainly seems to provide more steel down that left side. Put in a handful of really good interventions against Sheffield United.
Luke O’Nien – 5/10
A nightmare first half for the centre-back who gave away a poor penalty and then scored an own goal. More himself after the break, but that first half performance will give him nightmares for a while.
Chris Mepham – 7.5/10
Some really good passes out wide in the first half as he kept Sunderland ticking over. Solid at the back, making a couple of really crucial interceptions and blocks in the game.
Trai Hume – 6.5/10
Got forward well in the first half, linking up well with Mayenda and Patrick Roberts ahead of him. Looked more like himself after a bit of a patchy vein of form of late. Beaten a couple of times down the right but overall, a decent performance.
Jobe Bellingham – 7/10
Didn’t see a huge amount of the ball in the first half but was tidy in possession when he had it. Worked hard defensively and had some nice turns forward in tight spaces, putting Sunderland on the attack.
Dan Neil – 7.5/10
Some good passes forward from Neil who’s definitely a player in form right now. Battled well in the midfield and seemed to read the game well throughout the 90 minutes.
Adil Aouchiche – 6.5/10
Looked to get forward whenever he had the ball but didn’t cause too many problems in the first 45. Very positive in possession but seems to lack a bit of end product right now. Whilst Romaine Mundle and Tommy Watson are out, he seems like the best bet on the left.
- READ MORE: £8.4m star told Sunderland is the ‘best place for him to go’ during January transfer window
Eliezer Mayenda – 8.5/10
Stunning first half from the Spaniard. A repeat of his one-on-one against Blackburn Rovers last time out, but this time he finished it. Then grabbed the assist for Isidor in a really energetic first half. Same again in the second half, though he was unable to create as much as he did in the first.
Patrick Roberts – 6.5/10
Some good link up play down the right. Roberts made some neat passes inside and worked the channel well, getting back to help Hume as well. Much less involved in the second half as Sheffield United put more of a foothold on the game. Solid overall, though.
Wilson Isidor – 8.5/10
Ran really hard in the opening stages, notably sprinting the length of the pitch to try and get on the end of an Aouchiche cross that didn’t happen. Rewarded for his efforts with yet another well-taken goal for the Frenchman. The Blades were torn apar by his pace at times with Isidor looking like he’s got his mojo back after back-to-back goals.