Despite leading 2-0, Sunderland were beaten 3-2 by Crystal Palace.
Sunderland passed up their best opportunity to get their first win of the season, losing 3-2 to Crystal Palace, having gone 2-0 up through Jermain Defoe.
Jordan Pickford 7/10 – The young keeper could not be blamed for any of the goals, and made a couple of smart stops. His record of conceding goals will continue to get worse with the defence in front of him.
Javi Manquillo 6.5/10 – Probably Sunderland’s best defender, although that doesn’t take much. The Spaniard kept Andros Townsend relatively quiet, but is playing as part of a disjointed back four that can’t keep a clean sheet.
Lamine Kone 6/10 – The better of the two red and white centre backs. Kone is certainly more assured than Djilobodji, but he has lost his way since losing an experienced figure next to him in Younes Kaboul.
Crystal Palace’s James McArthur in action with Sunderland’s Lamine Kone and Javi Manquillo
Papy Djilobodji 5/10 – Djilobodji has had an awful few weeks in a Sunderland shirt, and the game against Palace was another one to forget. The summer signing doesn’t look confident in anything he does, and his nervousness doesn’t inspire any confidence.
Patrick Van Aanholt 4.5/10 – The modern full back: Will go forward all day long but can’t defend. The Dutchman put in a weak block which allowed Palace to get a goal back, and he then was out-muscled by James McArthur for the away side’s equaliser.
Jan Kirchhoff 6.5/10 – The German stopped things coming through the middle, and broke up play like he normally does. Kirchhoff was also able to get on the ball more often, and started some neat breaks for the Black Cats.
Didier Ndong 7.5/10 – The best of Sunderland’s midfield three and one of few players that can come out of the game with his head held high. Ndong was box-to-box, trying to get forward and support Defoe when he could, but also did the dirty side of the game.
Crystal Palace’s Jason Puncheon in action with Sunderland’s Lee Cattermole
Lee Cattermole 6/10 – His presence is certainly needed on the pitch, and he brings much needed experience to the Sunderland side, but he was a little bit of a passenger in the middle.
Adnan Januzaj 5/10 – A typical Januzaj performance: A lot of fancy flicks and dribbling past players, but no final ball. This problem is why his Manchester United career stalled.
Steven Pienaar N/A – Came off early with an injury and therefore had little impact on the game.
Sunderland’s Jermain Defoe celebrates scoring their second goal
Jermain Defoe 9/10 – Two clinical finishes from what could be Sunderland’s only hope. Defoe did all he could today, but his goals will mean nothing if the rest of the team can’t defend.
SUBSTITUTES
Duncan Watmore (Pienaar 15) 7/10 – Came on early in place of Pienaar and was much more energetic and lively. The winger had been poor recently, but had a much more positive impact, including setting up Defoe’s second goal.
Victor Anichebe (Januzaj 86) N/A – The forward did not have enough time to make an impact.
Paddy McNair (Cattermole 86) N/A – The midfielder also did not have enough time to make an impact.
Sunderland manager David Moyes before the game
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