Sunderland 1-2 Stoke City: Player Ratings

Costel Pantilimon - 5

Thought he should have done better for the first goal really. Seemed to go through him a bit.

Santiago Vergini - 7

Gave some indication he could be close to being ready to play centre back in the Premier League during the second half. Amazingly, he was the side's most incisive passer on the night.

John O'Shea - 6

Usual O'Shea stuff.

Sebastian Coates - 4

Dithered and dozy. Looks a long way short of match readiness to me.

Billy Jones - 6

Looked uncomfortable during the first half on the left, but much better second half in his natural position. Made some brilliant runs off the ball from right back.

Liam Bridcutt - 5

Arrrrggggghhhhhh... pass it forwards marra! For the love of god and all that is holy, just move the spherical white thing forward!

Jordi Gomez - 5

Didn't really provide either control or creativity.

Jack Rodwell - 6

Strong first half showing, anonymous after the break.

Adam Johnson - 5

Riddled with indecision, but he was far from the only one.

Will Buckley - 7

What threat came from Sunderland, Buckley tended to provide it. He was the one getting in behind.

Jozy Altidore - 5

Scored a really nice goal, but his overall contribution was savagely Jozy-esque.

Patrick van Aanholt - 6

Defended very well and looked to have made a real difference in negating the Stoke counter attacking threat until we started chasing it.

Ricky Alvarez - 5

Didn't really do much

Danny Graham - 5

*sigh*

Man of the Match: Umm...

Well, Vergini and Buckey were the best Sunderland players on display so far as I could tell, but I wouldn't say either was a man of the match performance. Let's just move on...