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Vito Mannone - 7
As shaky as the rest in the opening half hour, but kept us in it after that to make the point possible. Also - smouldering.
Phil Bardsley - 6
Involved and competitive. Not much more than that. In fairness, you don't ever really expect much more. He was solid enough.
Wes Brown - 5
Seemed a little off today. A yard slower than usual. That may have just been down to the fact that Southampton press the ball so well and it made us looked very rushed. He's allowed a poor game every now and then, I guess.
John O'Shea - 7
The steady-Eddie of the Sunderland defence. It's nice to be able to say that about O'Shea again. Played well.
Marcos Alonso - 6
Basically the same kind of day as Phil Bardsley, but on the other side of the pitch.
Lee Cattermole - 5
A performance similar to Wes Brown's really, which may add weight to the credit that Southampton are due. They seemed specifically set up to press the ball high up the pitch. Poor from Catts though, nonetheless.
Ki Sung-Yueng - 6
Barely given a sniff all day. What he was able to contribute, he did with his usual panache.
Seb Larsson - 3
I'm being generous in that mark. Decent without the ball, as he always is, but might as well have not bothered with it.
Fabio Borini - 8
A constant menace with his clever running in behind from the left. His pedigree is really starting to show itself now.
Jozy Altidore - 5
I have a little sympathy for Altidore here, but not much. He gets left a little too isolated at times and it makes him look awful, but his work rate generally holds up. I just wish he could translate that effort into aggression though. He should do, given his size.
Adam Johnson - 9
Exceptional once again. Made one, scored one, and was a real threat against a very good full back.
Craig Gardner - 7
Really made a difference when he came on with his aggressive pressing. Precisely what was needed for the situation.
Jack Colback - 6
Twice as good as Larsson, in about half time time. So he should get a 12 really. Or something. Anyway, decent cameo.
Steven Fletcher - 7
Looked really energetic today for the first time in, well, ever. That's not a pop at his usual work rate. He is just the type who looks like he'd rather be out playing snooker or something. But today, jeeesh. More of that please, Fletch.
Man Of The Match: Adam Johnson
I don't know what in the blue hell Gus Poyet has done to Johnson, but keep on doing it. He looks a completely different player to the one we've generally seen since his arrival from Manchester City. His goal today was pure confidence, but his pass for Borini to score the first was pure quality.
