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Jordan Pickford - 6
Was nervous early and nearly punished for it, his distribution helped launch dangerous counters in the second half, and he did well against Sam Vokes late on.
Billy Jones - 4
Struggled defensively to contain Andre Gray, George Boyd and Jeff Hendrick when he drifted out wide. Offensively was even more disappointing, wasting good crossing opportunities and missing Sunderland's best chance. Not good enough.
John O'Shea - 5
Improved as the game went on but looked fearful of Gray's pace, guilty of poor clearances and fouls which put his teammates under pressure.
Jason Denayer - 7
Sunderland's standout player. Great block from George Boyd early on, leaves you wondering why he's never had the opportunity to partner Lamine Kone.
Bryan Oviedo - 5
Frustratingly sloppy display from one of the team's best technicians. Sunderland needed more from Oviedo today.
Sebastian Larsson - 5
Ran tirelessly, but as has been the case for a while with the Swedish international didn't offer enough offensively.
Darron Gibson - 5
Lacked the legs to cover and protect the back four, didn't provide enough vertical passing or quality to settle a nervous young team.
Jack Rodwell - 6
Was more dynamic and played with greater urgency than most of his teammates, still not capable of running a game.
Adnan Januzaj - 7
The only consistent attacking threat for Sunderland, won free kicks that relieved pressure in the first half, constant threat when the Black Cats were chasing the game in the second.
Jermain Defoe - 5
Not involved enough. Wasn't given good service, but still didn't do enough to impact a crucial game.
Fabio Borini - 5
Really poor in the first half, lazy at times. He did combine well down the left with Januzaj in the second period, but you still have to question why David Moyes has given him so many chances.
Substitutes
Didier Ndong - 6
Initially provided a spark from the bench with his energy in midfield, a couple errors which showed his inexperience put Sunderland under pressure at crucial times, when they couldn't afford to be defending.
Wahbi Khazri - 5
Barely had an impact. Once again Moyes didn't put the Tunisian in a position to succeed, looks like being the great 'what if' player for Sunderland this season.