Norwich City Vs Sunderland: Player Ratings

Simon Mignolet - 6

Despite conceding two, a quiet day for Mignolet. Couldn't do much about either goal of Norwich's and dealt with everything else with consummate ease. Good save in second half to stop Pilkington extending the lead.

Phil Bardsley - 5

Given the captaincy today as the one who generally tends to shout a lot and pump his fists. That's about all he did today in what wasn't a great performance from Bardsley. Outshone in the fullback stakes by Rose all day long, and Rose wasn't even at his very, very best.

Matt Kilgallon - 4

Booked very early on and looked on a knife edge ever since that. Worse than that however was his defending for Norwich's second goal which was completely inexcusable. Missed open goal in second half just the icing on the cake for a poor afternoon. The sooner some fans realise that one rabona does not a player make, the better.

Carlos Cuellar - 7

With Kilgallon next to him we needed at least one strong defender and Cuellar showed himself to be just that as he put in a very good performance to repel nearly everything the Canaries threw at him. Very decent stuff, and we'll need him to keep it up until John O'Shea returns to the side in a few weeks time.

Danny Rose - 7

Rose started quite quietly but grew into the game. In the second half we was one of our leading attacking lights and could well consider himself unlucky not to get on the scoresheet. Continually impressed with the lad.

Adam Johnson - 6

Got another assist, which will no doubt go unnoticed by the slew of doubters he's picked up recently. Generally he was alright today. A little quiet at times but over all he did help provide one of our rare moments of quality. Another positive would be he was offside considerably less, if even at all through out the game, but still needs to work on stopping overhitting crosses.

Seb Larsson - 5

Worked hard, but didn't find himself too involved in the game. Worryingly he seems to be completely removed from set-piece duty. Either way, he didn't enjoy a great game in the middle, and didn't really get a hold of things in the way his colleague in there did. Needs to do better.

Craig Gardner - 8

Usually when played in central midfield Gardner is anonymous, but today he really seemed to take the game by the scruff of the neck and dragged us back into it. A great goal, and could have had a few more as he provided both bite and threat to our midfield.

James McClean - 6

Seemed to spend large part of the first half on the peripheries, with his only significant contributions coming when he felt like giving the ball away. Certainly upped his game in the second half however and looked much more dangerous.

Stephane Sessegnon - 7

First half (a theme emerging here) here was rubbish but picked himself up in the second and turned it into a decent performance. Much better when pushed up alongside a striker rather than in behind. He and Wickham seemed to enjoy working together. Had a few half chances, and one excellent chance. Can someone please find him some shooting boots?

Steven Fletcher - 6

Only played the first half before being withdrawn for Connor Wickham. An ankle aggravation the reason given. Hopefully that's not serious as despite any meaningful contribution to this game still a very important player. Get well soon Fletch.

Connor Wickham - 7

Won a lot of headers today, proved to be mobile and gave us some threat. Showed in those 45 minutes more than Louis Saha and Fraizer Campbell had all season combined. Just as we had suspected he might if given a chance. Would be very pleased and interested if he got a run in the side alongside Fletcher soon.

Fraizer Campbell - 5

A late substitute who didn't really offer very much once he came on. Are you surprised?

David Vaughan - 5

I'm not even sure he touched the ball to be honest. Bringing him on was bordering on pointless.

Man Of The Match: Craig Gardner

Got the goal which dragged us off our arses and back into the game. A superb strike for his goal, and should have had a large part in an imaginary equaliser when he hit the post and Kilgallon fired over. All in all though, this might well have been his best central midfield performance for us. Danny Rose, Carlos Cuellar and Conor Wickham all come in with decent shouts too.