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Costel Pantilimon 8
Not much to do - one shot to save if you were counting - but a solid commanding influence at the back.
Billy Jones 8
Ran his legs off and really helped contribute to the energetic performance.
Santiago Vergini - 8
Huge tackle in the seventh minute and never put a foot wrong all afternoon.
John O'Shea - 8
Did what O'Shea does. Very steady and never looked in trouble.
Patrick van Aanholt - 9
Massive presence down the left with Newcastle utterly unable to contain him. Much more like it from the Dutchman.
Lee Cattermole - 8
Gave the team it's heartbeat back.
Jordi Gomez - 9
Best game in a Sunderland shirt by some way. Drew fouls and gave the midfield some real moments of calm.
Seb Larsson - 8
Very good. Not as good as he can be though and could have easily scored a couple goals.
Connor Wickham - 8
Sometimes good, sometimes sloppy. Influential though and a big handful.
Steven Fletcher - 9
Held it up brilliantly, won long ball after long ball, and some of his movement off the ball was brilliant.
Jermain Defoe - 10
Even if his goal was his only touch, he'd still get a ten. That's how good it was.
Adam Johnson (Sub) - 6
Didn't have time to do much but held the ball very cleverly in the dying stages as those around him tired.
Man of the Match: Jermain Defoe
He wasn't the best player on the pitch, but his goal out of absolutely nothing won the game. It was worthy of winning a game. It was worthy of winning a derby. It was worthy of making it five in a row. And it was worthy of man of the match.