Sunderland Vs Middlesbrough: Player Ratings

Keiren Westwood - 6

Did everything that was asked of him pretty well. Kicking however was atrocious all evening, and he constantly managed to over-hoof everything forward. Still, made saves. Too many saves if we're honest.

Phil Bardsley - 6

Good to see him back in action, but still looks slightly off the pace. He was unsettled by Haroun on several occasions but considering he's only just back from injury we'll not be overly harsh on him.

John O'Shea - 4

A poor game from O'Shea, and it seems to be becoming a running theme that as his performances have declined, so has the team in general's. Tonight he was off the pace, sloppy and generally did everything wrong that a central defender could.

Carlos Cuellar - 5

Only slightly better than O'Shea, but still looked kind of lumbering in the middle of defence. Basically O'Shea but with slightly less sloppiness, no doubt due in part to the fact he was mopping up his partners.

Jack Colback - 6

Tried his best to get involved in the game, but evident that he's no left back and the position is very much Danny Rose's. Didn't have a great deal of help from Adam Johnson ahead of him either.

David Vaughan - 5

After a promising substitute appearance against Newcastle there was hope for Vaughan, and a lot of calls for him to come into midfield. He got his chance tonight and didn't really take it as he was perpetually dominated in the middle. Passing was nice and tidy, it just didn't get us anywhere.

Lee Cattermole - 6

A decent enough game from Cattermole who made some important challenges and even tried to set up some attacks. The only one of our midfield with any drive or ambition, and deserves credit for that.

Stephane Sessegnon - 5

Frustrating. That about sums up Sessegnon best his evening. He was full of endeavour but absolutely no end product. Which I suppose for a player who's game is built on being an attacking threat isn't really enough.

Adam Johnson - 4

Another poor game from Johnson who continues to look like a bit of a spare part. Such high hopes for him coming into the season, let's just hope that he can turn it around, and turn it around sooner rather than later as more performances like this won't be tolerated.

Louis Saha - 4

Barring one effort in the first half, you'd be forgiven for forgetting he was even playing. An anonymous display from the Frenchman.

Steven Fletcher - 5

Battled all day but once again had to feed off scraps. Even with Saha up there to support him. He hustled, he bustled, but it has to be said, for some reason, again, that he can't do it all on his own.

James McClean - 6

At least provided some drive following his substitute appearance tonight, and in all honesty has probably played his way into the starting lineup on Saturday, as things will no doubt be rejigged again.

Fraizer Campbell - 4

Not on long enough to particularly make any difference. The game was gone.

Man Of The Match: Lee Cattermole

This really is a bit of a throwaway award tonight as nobody particularly deserved it, but we're going to give it to Cattermole for his gumption and willingness in midfield. In all honesty though we might as well have drawn one out of the hat.