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Sunderland's 'brilliant' star man - and Boro player who had 'extremely rough night'

Enzo Le Fee celebrates after Sunderland's winner <i>(Image: Ian Horrocks)</i>
Enzo Le Fee celebrates after Sunderland's winner (Image: Ian Horrocks)

How did the players fare in Sunderland's 3-2 win at Middlesbrough?


MIDDLESBROUGH (4-2-3-1):

6 Travers: Made important saves from Mepham and Isidor on his Boro debut

4 Ayling: Had an extremely rough night defensively against the talented Le Fee

5 Van den Berg: Was just about the pick of the Boro defence, but still had a tough evening

4 Edmundson: Should have made a better fist of trying to block Neil’s shot and never looked secure

4 Giles: Wasn’t the attacking force of old and made a decisive late error as he stabbed into his own net

6 Morris: Lost the ball for Sunderland’s second goal, but made it up for it by setting up Boro’s equaliser

8 HACKNEY: Set up Burgzorg’s goal with a defence-splitting pass and scored with a fine low drive

7 Whittaker: Was a threat on his debut as he started on the left but finished playing infield

5 Azaz: Couldn’t get into the game and was replaced just before the hour mark

8 Burgzorg: Showed great composure to open the scoring and moved infield to good effect

5 Forss: Wasted a great chance to double Boro’s lead when he side-footed over in the first half


Subs:

Iling-Junior (for Azaz, 59), Conway (for Forss, 69)

(not used): Glover (gk), Fry, Borges, Woolston, McCabe, Barlaser, Finch.


SUNDERLAND (4-2-3-1):

6 Patterson: Saved Forss’ early header and commanded his penalty area effectively

6 Hume: Was his usual solid self on the right-hand side of Sunderland’s back four

5 Mepham: Didn’t always look comfortable against Burgzorg’s pace – had a tough night

5 O’Nien: Was given a real test by the Boro attack, but just about managed to hold his own

6 Cirkin: Did reasonably well against Whittaker, although his attacking threat was limited

7 Neil: Won the ball off Burgzorg to set up his goal and was always looking to drive his side on

6 Bellingham: Lost possession as Boro scored their second, but put in an important defensive shift

6 Roberts: Will feel he was fouled as Boro broke to open the scoring, but should have been stronger

6 Rigg: Wasn’t really a factor in the final third before he was taken off midway through the second half

9 LE FEE: Capped a brilliant midfield display with the touch and cross that led to Sunderland’s winner

8 Isidor: Displayed ice-cool nerve as he rounded Travers to score his tenth goal of the season


Subs:

Samed (for Rigg, 71), Mayenda (for Isidor, 81), Poveda (for Roberts, 88)

(not used): Moore (gk), Ballard, Hjelde, Jones, Aleksic, Ogusunyi.


Man Of The Match: ENZO LE FEE – The best player on the pitch all game, and made the difference when he crossed for the winner.