The Sunderland player who 'stepped up' and one that 'gave the ball away too cheaply'

How did the players fare in Sunderland's goalless draw with Bristol City?

SUNDERLAND (4-2-3-1):

6 Patterson: Didn’t have a lot to do, but made an important save from Wells at the end of the first half

6 Hume: Delivered his usual committed performance, but wasn’t able to get down the flank as he would have liked

7 O’Nien: Helped Sunderland keep things tight at the back and made a couple of important blocks

8 BALLARD: Stepped up superbly to improve his side’s defending – dealt with all of Bristol City’s attacking threats

5 Hjelde: Got the nod to start ahead of Styles, but had a couple of key moments when he was sloppy in possession

7 Neil: Generally used the ball well and tried to keep Sunderland on the front foot

7 Ekwah: Was excellent in the first half, winning the ball back in midfield, but his levels dropped after the break

6 Rigg: Didn’t see an awful lot of the ball, but continues to look comfortable at senior level

6 Aouchiche: Showed flashes of attacking threat, but gave the ball away cheaply on a number of occasions

7 Clarke: Was Sunderland’s most threatening outlet for most of the game, even if some of his dribbles failed to come off

6 Bellingham: Got into some decent positions, but didn’t always take the right decision in the final third

Subs:

6 Dack (for Aouchiche, 59): Was unfortunate to see his diving header cannon back off the crossbar

7 Alese (for Hjelde, 66): Added some steel after his second-half introduction – will hope to start at Leeds

6 Roberts (for Rigg, 66): Made a couple of darting runs infield in the closing stages of the game

(not used): Bishop (gk), Pembele, Styles, Mundle, Burstow, Hemir.

BRISTOL CITY (3-4-3):

O’LEARY 9; Tanner 7, Vyner 7, Roberts 6; Sykes 6 (Williams 65, 5), Knight 6, James 5, Pring 6; Mehmeti 5 (McCrorie 46, 5), Wells 5 (Conway 65, 5), Twine 6 (Cornick 77).

Subs (not used): Bajic (gk), King, Knight-Lebel, Mebude.

Man Of The Match: MAX O’LEARY – The Bristol City goalkeeper made a succession of superb saves before the break.