Sunderland did well to come back from a goal down after a horrid first half performance but we couldn’t quite hang on for the win in Lancashire. A point away to fifth place is still a good result overall though.
ANTHONY PATTERSON: 5/10
Should have commanded his box better for their second goal, even if he was helpless when the shot actually did come in. Distribution wasn’t terrible but he kept taking a bit too long to clear when under pressure.
TRAI HUME: 6/10
I don’t think he had an awful lot to do in the first half, a lot of the threat was coming from the other side and in the second there wasn’t a lot of defensive work.
CHRIS MEPHAM: 5/10
An uncharacteristically sloppy first half from him, giving the ball away several times and nearly let them in once or twice. Much more steady in the second.
LUKE O’NIEN: 6/10
Definitely has a share of the blame for the opening goal but he took a booking in the second half because of an important tactical foul that prevented them having a great chance.
DENNIS CIRKIN: 6/10
He didn't get forward much, particularly in the first half, and the first goal came from his side of the pitch so maybe could have done more. Gave Mayenda more support in the second half and actually came close to scoring the winner late on.
DAN NEIL: 8/10
A good first half and a great second half, it felt like they couldn’t touch him without a foul being made at times. Played a crucial role in both of our goals and it's fair to say he dragged us back into it.
JOBE BELLINGHAM: 6.5/10
His work rate can’t be doubted in the second half, but maybe he was trying to do a bit too much sometimes. Had a chance to shoot but snapped at it rather than taking a touch and allowed it to blaze over the bar.
PATRICK ROBERTS: 7.5/10
Nowhere to be seen in the first half and had a real battle against Liverpool loanee Owen Beck. But Roberts did really well to help create our first goal - rather than running blindly forward he took his time and laid the ball off well. Assisted the second as well.
CHRIS RIGG: 8/10
Struggled to really stamp any authority in the first half but in the second half Rigg got himself into a great position to score and was rewarded. He could have easily scored again and gave their defenders all sorts of bother after the break. Let's hope and pray that his injury isn't serious.
ELIEZER MAYENDA: 5.5/10
He wasn’t awful today but he struggled to get crosses in and really should have won the game at the death with a little more composure. Once again, I don't think he's naturally a winger but looks so much more comfortable when he's on the right, rather than the left.
WILSON ISIDOR: 7/10
Isidor didn’t do much apart from scoring, but that's why he's on the pitch! It was a wonderfully taken goal to put us ahead, plus he did well to also cut the ball back to Jobe at one point on the edge of the box.
SUBS:
ADIL AOUCHICHE: N/A
Came on in the final few minutes following Rigg's injury so didn’t have an awful lot of opportunities to show anything off.
