Newcastle United Vs Sunderland: Player Ratings

Simon Mignolet - 8

Perhaps not the heroics that we have seen from him before but his saves in the first half shortly after Sessegnon's opener were a crucial factor in what followed.

Phil Bardsley - 8

Solid, calm, composed, and competitive. This was as good as Bardsley gets. His game stripped of the needless surrounding fat and his strengths accentuated. Well played, Sir.

John O'Shea -9

He has been criticised - fairly - of late but this performance was dripping in the kind of pedigree we know he has.

Carlos Cuellar - 8

Like Bardsley, not a stand-out performer, though he never let anyone down and absolutely played his part.

Danny Rose - 10

A stunning full back performance. No matter what was thrown at him he simply swatted it aside. Faultless.

Adam Johnson - 8

An incredible strike to essentially settle the contest. It was the goal he has been trying to score all season. Generally a thorn more than threat, but it's all about the end product really.

Alfred N'Diaye - 9

A giant in the centre of midfield against some genuinely strong opposition. Best game in a Sunderland shirt by far.

Seb Larsson - 8

You could hear the collective sigh around Sunderland when he was named in a central position, but he put in a superb performance. His tackling was pitch perfect.

James McClean - 8

Little product but he has to be praised for his discipline and defensive work in tracking and largely nulifiying the marauding Debuchy.

Stephane Sessegnon - 10

A wonderful virtuoso performance from Sess. Scored a cracker and dominated the Newcastle defence.

Danny Graham - 9

If his loyalties and commitment were questioned going in to this one, then they certainly can't be now. Never stopped running and bullying defenders. He has probably undone a lot of the damage done by Chopra today.

Jack Colback -7

Thrust into the fray in an unfamiliar right back position but steadfastly refused to be overawed. Did not let anyone down.

David Vaughan -8

Thwack! Swerve! Ping! Provided the sweetest of icing to the most sumptuous of cakes.

Kader Mangane - 7

He lives! HE LIVES!!!!!!

Man Of The Match - Sunderland AFC

Have we perhaps gone a little overboard here? May be a touch, but it isn't a day for restraint. It's a day to enjoy ourselves.

In the same vain, this was a performance that wasn't about individuals. There was a unity and cohesion about Sunderland that has been lacking for too long and it was that which won the game.

Stick around for more reaction and coverage in the next few days in our Match Stream, HERE.