Patrick van Aanholt came off the bench to rescue a point for Sunderland.
Sunderland picked up their second point of the season, drawing 1-1 with West Bromwich Albion. It looked like it was going to be another defeat for David Moyes, but an 83rd-minute strike from Patrick van Aanholt got the Black Cats a point.
Here’s how we rated the Sunderland players.
Jordan Pickford 7.5/10 – Yet again, Pickford was one of Sunderland’s stand-out performers, making multiple smart saves to keep the home side in the game. The youngster deserves a better defence in front of him.
Javi Manquillo 4.5/10 – The Spaniard could not handle the power of James McClean, and looked sluggish in everything he did. The injury to Jan Kirchhoff allowed him to move further up the pitch, where he had even less of of an impact.
Lamine Kone 6/10 – The best of Sunderland’s poor defence. Kone looked better than he has alongside Papy Djilobodji, and used the ball much better as well, rather than playing hoof ball.
John O’Shea 5.5/10 – The experienced Irishman was rightfully brought in, but his comeback to the side did not go as planned. O’Shea should have been the one organising the back four, but they still looked all at sea even with the 35-year-old at the back.
Jason Denayer 5.5/10 – Playing at left-back in place of Van Aanholt, Denayer looked far from convincing, struggling up against the pacey Matt Phillips. A move into centre-back in the second half did not improve things.
Jan Kirchhoff 5/10 – A birthday to forget for the German. Normally one of Sunderland’s more consistent performers, Kirchhoff looked off the pace and a long way off his normal self. His afternoon was cut short when he was stretchered off, meaning the midfielder could be facing another spell on the sidelines.
Paddy McNair 4.5/10 – Brought into the midfield due to Lee Cattermole’s absence, the ex-Manchester United man did not really bring anything to the party. McNair was not an offensive threat, nor did he break up play in the middle of the park.
Didier Ndong 7/10 – Ndong continued his strong start on Wearside, yet again proving to be Sunderland’s best central midfielder. The Gabon international has a great engine, and rarely stopped running throughout. Another positive showing.
Duncan Watmore 6/10 – The youngster was at his frustrating best. Constantly running past players, finding space to put a cross in then failing to deliver, often running into the final defender. Watmore was not one to give up though, and his burst of pace and neat pull back allowed Van Aanholt to score the equaliser.
Wahbi Khazri 7.5/10 – A great return for the Tunisian, who showed Moyes has been wrong to keep him on the bench. Khazri was Sunderland’s biggest creative force, and his delivery from set pieces is something they need to start taking advantage of.
Jermain Defoe 6.5/10 – Not the best day at the office for Defoe. The striker missed a golden chance early on to put Sunderland ahead, but put it wide much to the shock of everyone inside the Stadium of Light.
SUBSTITUTES
Patrick van Aanholt (Kirchhoff 56) 8/10 – A fantastic performance off the bench. The Dutchman was given more freedom as a left wing-back, and his energy and drive got Sunderland their equaliser.
Jack Rodwell (McNair 72) 6/10 – Rodwell was just as ineffective as the man he replaced, although he was only ineffective for 23 minutes.
Lynden Gooch (Khazri 90) N/A – The American did not have enough time to make an impact.
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