How did the players fare in Sunderland’s 2-1 win over Sheffield United?

SUNDERLAND (4-4-2):

8 Patterson: Kept out Moore’s penalty with his legs and made a crucial late save from Brooks’ driven strike

7 Hume: Defended solidly on Sunderland’s right-hand side and tried to get forward when possible

7 Mepham: Made some important blocks in his own 18-yard box and handled the physical threat of Moore

5 O’Nien: A difficult night – conceded the penalty with a tug on Moore and headed Hamer’s cross into his own net

7 Alese: Justified his recall in place of Cirkin with a committed and aggressive defensive display

6 Roberts: Started reasonably brightly, but wasn’t really a factor for much of the second half

8 Neil: Put out a lot of fires at the heart of midfield and ensured Sunderland were able to retain control of the game

7 Bellingham: Made a number of dangerous forward breaks, but shot wastefully over the bar in the second half

7 Aouchiche: Has become increasingly effective since returning to the side, and looked comfortable cutting in from the left

9 MAYENDA: A revelation as he was restored to a central attacking role – opened the scoring and set up Isidor’s winner

8 Isidor: Produced a clinical angled finish to restore Sunderland’s lead and was a goalscoring threat throughout

Subs:

Hjelde (for Aouchiche, 84)

Rusyn (for Isidor, 90+3)

(not used): Moore (gk), Cirkin, Johnson, Jones, Aleksic, Connolly, Ogunsuyi.

SHEFF UTD (4-2-3-1):

Cooper 5; Gilchrist 6 (Brooks 60, 6), Ahmedhodzic 6, Robinson 5, McCallum 6 (Norrington-Davies 79); Davies 5, Peck 5 (Burrows 60, 5); O’Hare 4 (One 79), Brewster 5, HAMER 6; Moore 4.

Subs (not used): Davies (gk), Baptiste, Marsh, Blacker, Boyes.

Man Of The Match: ELIEZER MAYENDA – The Spaniard looked a completely different proposition restored to a central attacking role.