Sunderland finished 1-0 winners against Millwall at the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon as the Black Cats returned to league action following the international break.
Sunderland returned to league action in winning ways on Saturday as Regis Le Bris’ beat Millwall 1-0 at the Stadium of Light.
Last time out prior to the international break, Sunderland lost 3-0 at Coventry, but got back on track in their first of the final eight-game Championship run-in.
A beautifully-worked corner-kick routine was dispatched on the volley by full-back Trai Hume in the 20th minute, which was enough to earn the Black Cats victory over former Sunderland boss Alex Neil.
Romain Mundle’s trickery won a penalty kick with minutes left on the clock, but surprising newly-appointed penalty-kick taker Luke O’Nien failed to convert.
Sunderland remain rooted to fourth position in the Championship table. Here are Sunderland AFC News’ player ratings, with Hume receiving the highest score of any Sunderland player on the field, as one Black Cats forward’s disappointing display earns a poor rating.
Sunderland played ratings vs Millwall
Anthony Patterson – 7
Had little to do with Millwall registering only two shots on target.
Alan Browne – 6
Decent display in an unfamiliar position but could tell on occasion his inexperience with his positioning.
Chris Mepham – 7.5
Yellow carded after Josh Coburn caught the centre-back out of position with clever movement. Exceptional block in injury time to help retain the lead.
Luke O’Nien – 6.5
Typically solid performance with some incisive forward passes on occasion. Surprisingly took the penalty kick, which was met with an extremely poor attempt that was saved by Jensen.
Trai Hume – 9/10
First-half volley from Patrick Roberts’ cross was dispatched beautifully by the full-back to put Sunderland ahead. Exceptional display in the unfavoured left-back role.
Dan Neil – 6
Quiet afternoon for the Sunderland skipper but always kept play ticking over.
Chris Rigg – 7
Tidy display from the youngster who was effective in all thirds of the pitch following his impressive England Under-19s performance.
Jobe Bellingham – 7
Robust display and battled well both in and out of possession but was justifiably booked for a poorly-timed first-half tackle.
Patrick Roberts – 8
Beautifully-weighted cross for Hume’s opener typified a dynamic display. Looked back to his sharpest following the break.
Romain Mundle – 8/10
Thorn in the side of Millwall’s defence all afternoon and sold Japhet Tangaga with beautiful skill for the penalty-kick. However, concerning attitude on display after his fight to take the spot-kick he earned.
Wilson Isidor – 6/10
Very quiet afternoon with striker out-battled physically by the Millwall defenders and was denied a close-range header with an exceptional save from Lukas Jensen.