Sunderland drew 0-0 against Norwich on Tuesday evening as the Black Cats continued their post-international break unbeaten run.
Sunderland followed up their 1-0 win over West Brom at the weekend with a 0-0 stalemate against Norwich as Regis Le Bris’ side put in a flat display at Carrow Road.
Le Bris rang the changes from Saturday afternoon’s starting XI by handing starts to; Eliezer Mayenda, Milan Aleksic, Tommy Watson and Leo Hjelde, who came in for Jobe Bellingham, Patrick Roberts, Romaine Mundle and Wilson Isidor.
Sunderland were dreadful and could not get a foothold in the first 45 minutes, with the travelling support witnessing a poor spectacle of no quality or dynamism on the ball. Canaries ace Josh Sargent had chances to score and failed to capitalise on the space afforded to him by the Black Cats.
In the second 45′, Sunderland were still lacklustre and profligate in possession, but managed to limit Norwich to very few openings and hung on to earn a point on the road and extend their unbeaten run to three games.
Sunderland still remain fourth in the Championship table with their play-off place confirmed. Here are Sunderland AFC News’ player ratings from the Norwich stalemate, with Chris Mepham receiving the highest rating as one Black Cats fringe player failed to take his starting XI chance.
Sunderland player ratings vs Norwich
Anthony Patterson – 7/10
Commanded his box well and positively claimed Canaries crosses, looks back to his sharpest after the international break.
Trai Hume – 7/10
Solid display again back in his trademark right-back role as he battled well against tricky customer Borga Sainz before being moved to left-back.
Chris Mepham – 8/10
Commanded the defence well and made multiple strong blocks, with one from a Nunez shot in first-half that appeared to have had Patterson beat. Made multiple interceptions and blocks throughout second period. Forced save from Angus Gunn late on.
Luke O’Nien – 7/10
Booked for foul on Sargent after short header from Hjelde. Typically solid with and without the ball.
Leo Hjelde – 6/10
Sold O’Nien short with slack header which caused him to foul Sargent. Really poor delivery ended promising counter attack. Very poor in possession and correctly booked for a poorly-timed tackle.
Dan Neil – 5.5/10
Caught in possession multiple times throughout the game, either running into yellow shirts or misplacing passes.
Alan Browne – 6/10
Moved back into central midfield are two-game stint at right-back but failed to assert his dominance.
Chris Rigg – 7/10
Battled well as he looked tenacious without the ball but failed to create any moments of magic in the attacking phases.
Milan Aleksic 5/10
Wasteful in possession and couldn’t get into the game, Serbian looked lost on the right-wing. Booked for cynical foul after slack pass in his last action before being withdrawn.
Tommy Watson – 5.5/10
Booked for rash challenge on Nunez with the Canaries on the counter. Failed to show why Brighton have shelled out £10m for him.
Eliezer Mayenda – 6/10
Positive injection of pace tried to get attack going and great pressing but needed to back himself with weaker foot after winning ball in Norwich box. Spurned chances to break the deadlock throughout the second-half but never stopped grafting.
Sunderland substitutes player ratings vs Norwich City
Wilson Isidor – 6/10 (for Hjelde, 68′)
Only six touches during second-half cameo.
Enzo Le Fee – 7/10 (for Watson, 68′)
Attacking impetus instantly went up a gear with his introduction.
Patrick Roberts – 6/10 (for Aleksic, 68′)
Couldn’t impact the attacking phase as well as previous weeks.