Sunderland’s player ratings saw one surprise standout despite losing to Stoke City away from home.
The Black Cats lost out on their travels as they fell to a 1-0 defeat to Stoke City.
Wilson Isidor had a big opportunity in the first half to open the scoring after receiving the ball from Eliezer Mayenda from the right, however his toe-poked effort was met by a top save by Stoke City shot-stopper Viktor Johansson.
Prior to the interval, Sunderland had shouts for a possible penalty as Chris Mepham was hauled down inside the box by Wouter Burger, but the referee waived on, meaning that the Black Cats went into half-time goalless, something that the Stoke fans certainly would have been crediting their goalkeeper for.
Regis Le Bris’ side could and probably should have made it 1-0 in the second half as Mayenda was found six-yards-out with a free header from Adil Aouchiche’s cross from the left flank, but the Spaniard couldn’t convert.
They were left to rue their mistakes as Tom Cannon’s strike at the end won it for the Potters.
After the loss, here is how we rated each Sunderland individual…
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Anthony Patterson
Did well to deny former Sunderland transfer target Tom Cannon from close range. Never looked in danger of losing his clean sheet until Stoke’s goal at the death, where he could have done better. 6/10.
Trai Hume
Alike Isidor, also had an opportunity to put the Black Cats into the lead, but Johansson was there to deny him. 6/10.
Chris Mepham
Found himself in the box and collected the ball from an Aouchiche corner, but was pulled from his shirt to deny a goalscoring chance, harshly no penalty given. Showed his heroics with a brilliant block on the goal line on the 60th minute to keep the scores level. 7/10.
Luke O’Nien
Started strongly at centre-back alongside Chris Mepham. Didn’t get into too much trouble, and looked pretty composed at the back. 6/10.
Dennis Cirkin
Worked well with Aouchiche in causing havoc down the left-flank. Looked less comfortable on the defensive side, picking up a yellow card in the 50th minute. Was hooked on the 65th. 6/10.
Dan Neil
A performance that looked assured in the centre-of-the-park, with him often dictating play. Was not noticed much, but did the dirty work with success. 7/10
Milan Aleksic
Turn of pace caused trouble for Stoke, and often set Sunderland away on attack. Did very little in the second half and was replaced on the 65th minute. 6/10.
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Jobe Bellingham
Showed some impeccable trickery at times to evade the Stoke City backline in the first half. Somewhat petered away in the second, and was often evaded in attack. 5/10.
Eliezer Mayenda
Looked much more assured playing down the right. Drew in a yellow card from former Sunderland man Lynden Gooch in the first half. Missed a great opportunity in the 72nd to put his side ahead after a free header was sent wide. 4/10.
Adil Aouchiche
Called Johansson into action after fashioning his own chance with some pressure on the Sunderland backline. Looked dangerous in set-pieces. Undoubtedly given Le Bris a future selection headache after a terrific showing. 8/10.
Wilson Isidor
Looked much improved in the first half, had a good opportunity to open the scoring but was met by a solid save by the Stoke keeper. 6/10.
Aji Alese 5, Patrick Roberts 6, Aaron Connolly 6.