Sunderland 3-0 Newcastle United: Player Ratings

Costel Pantilimon – 9

Much better game from Pantilimon, he had to make an early save to deny Coloccini and an even better save from Mitrovic when leading 1-0.

DeAndre Yedlin– 8

Improving every game. He offered himself in attack as much as he could and more importantly he defended very well.

Billy Jones – 8

Much the same performance as Yedlin both in attack and defence. Jones looks a lot better at left back and he thoroughly deserved a goal after being unlucky last week.

John O’Shea– 7

O’Shea was substituted after 37 minutes with a hamstring injury. Sunderland sat deep in the first half although there was no real danger through the middle.

Younes Kaboul – 8

Undoubtedly Kaboul’s best game in a Sunderland shirt. He dealt well with Mitrovic apart from one unlucky ricochet that played Mitrovic through. And he had an assist for Fletcher after he won the ball in defence.

Yann M’Vila – 9

M’Vila kept things ticking over in the middle allowing Cattermole more freedom in midfield. He assisted Jones for his goal and was also involved in the third goal.

Lee Cattermole – 8

Typical big effort from Cattermole who was the engine in midfield today. Cattermole and M’Vila sat a little too deep in the first half but that was clearly the game plan. Both dominated in the second half.

Ola Toivonen – 6

Came off injured just before O’Shea. He didn’t really look fit from minute one. He won a few headers but there wasn’t much running from Toivonen.

Jeremain Lens – 7

Plenty of endeavour from Lens but he didn’t have a big impact in attack. He played his part though in a good defensive effort.

Adam Johnson – 9

Did a lot of work defensively in the first half and scored the penalty. He hit the bar in the second half with a long range shot.

Steven Fletcher – 9

Held the ball up well and put a massive shift in. He won the penalty in the first half and he seemed to be everywhere towards the later stages and was rewarded with a great goal at the end.

Jermain Defoe – 7 (sub)

He played the ball through for Fletcher to win the penalty and he kept running all game. He played his part defensively at the end and generally put himself about.

Seb Coates – 8 (sub)

Brought on after O’Shea got injured and we all thought the worst. But he played fantastically alongside Kaboul, heading and clearing everything away.

Seb Larsson – 7 (sub)

Came on with around ten minutes left as another engine in midfield and he did the usual hard graft.

Man Of The Match – Steven Fletcher