Norwich City Vs Sunderland: Player Ratings

Vito Mannone - 6

Started nervously, with a poor touch almost leading to an interception but recovered well and was his usual solid self afterwards. Had no chance with either goal.

Phil Bardsley - 4

Struggled against Wes Hoolahan who drifted inside regularly to support his strikers and was also poor in possession, almost gifted Norwich a goal but luckily Ricky Van Wolfswinkel couldn't get anything on Hoolahan's cross. Better in the second half but game was already over.

John O'Shea - 3

Did nothing to close down Johan Elmander twice for the opening goal and with all the time in the world at the second attempt, the Swede picked out Robert Snodgrass who gave Norwich the lead. This was a game where we needed a captain's performance but our leader on the pitch failed to deliver.

Wes Brown - 5

Could have done better with his attempted clearance for the opening goal but was much better than his partner in the centre of defence. Had our best chance when his header from an Adam Johnson cross was well saved by John Ruddy.

Marcos Alonso - 5

I may have given him man of the match but for a needless red card in injury time. Had a good battle with Snodgrass and Russell Martin on the left all afternoon, always gave us an attacking outlet but lack of support left him exposed defensively.

Adam Johnson - 4

Created our best two chances with his cross for Brown's header and a lofted ball into the box that Jozy Altidore should have done better with but was easily kept quiet otherwise.

Ki Sung-Yueng - 2

The good form of earlier in the season has completely disappeared and he couldn't get into the game today as Norwich dominated early on, hauled off in the first half. Our recent poor results is directly related to Ki's loss of form, without the Korean's influence we struggle to impose ourselves on the opposition.

Liam Bridcutt - 5

Covered a lot of ground and worked hard but had little support until Lee Cattermole came on late in the first half. Was guilty of going to ground a little early and sloppy in possession on occasion.

Jack Colback - 1

Not spotted on the pitch until taken off as Poyet re-shuffled after Norwich went 2-0 up. He may want an improved contract but on this showing is not worth one.

Fabio Borini - 5

Typically hard-working performance by the Italian striker but again wasted on the left wing to accommodate an out-of-form striker from the start and couldn't find a way through the Norwich defence when moved up front later in the first half,

Jozy Altidore - 1

Was given another chance to lead the line but again failed to impose himself. Barely won a header, struggled to find his team-mates and when put through on goal by Johnson was easily out-muscled by Sebastian Bassong when he really should have done better. A waste of shirt.

Lee Cattermole - 6

Came on in the first half after Norwich took a 2-0 lead, more on him below.

Seb Larsson - 3

Also came on in the first half, as Poyet made a double change. Can't fault his effort but apart from a late show that flew into the stand, he didn't feature in the game,

Nacho Scocco - 2

Late substitute who came on when most of the players had already given up, like Borini played out of position to accommodate an out-of-form striker but clearly still lacking match fitness.

Man of the Match: Lee Cattermole

The best of a bad bunch. Until Cattermole came on in the second half Sunderland's three man midfield couldn't cope with the Norwich midfield, despite outnumbering them and Cattermole's introduction helped the visiting side gain a foothold in the game. For all his faults and loss of concentration on occasion, his leadership and desire is something we lacked at the start of the game and you suspect that without his introduction the defeat could have been a lot more embarrassing.

We will have more match reaction right HERE, tonight, tomorrow and throughout the week.