Jon McLaughlin: 5/10
Poor performance, McLaughlin needed heroics from Luke O’Nien to spare him the embarrassment of conceding after being nutmegged on the byline.
Jordan Willis: 7/10
It was a close contest between Willis and O’Nien for best defender on the pitch. Willis won individual battles against a variety of forwards and strikers.
Alim Ozturk: 5/10
Poor in all aspects of the game, caught out ball-watching, sloppy in his clearances and far too wasteful in possession.
Tom Flanagan: 7/10
Followed up arguably his best 45 minutes in a Sunderland shirt, with a subpar second half showing. Technically and physically not good enough after the break. His first half performance was full of great last ditch defending and a rare goal.
Luke O’Nien: 7/10
If only O’Nien could cross. Every other area of his game was stellar, his ball retention and tenacity in particular.
George Dobson: 7/10
Embodied Sunderland’s aggressive energetic approach out of possession, a real nuisance.
Max Power: 7/10
Flew into some huge challenges, nearly added another wonder goal to his legendary highlight reel.
Denver Hume: 6/10
Far too timid and soft physically for Lincoln’s goal, his crossing and dribbling was extremely impressive in the first half, but the academy product had one of many erratic second half performances.
Lynden Gooch: 8/10
Executed two very different outstanding finishes to put Sunderland on track for a memorable dominant win.
Chris Maguire: 8/10
His outstanding set piece deliveries set Sunderland on the right path, Maguire was also the architect of many of the Black Cat’s best moves.
Charlie Wyke: 7/10
Battled well all afternoon, Wyke’s hold up play was simple and effective when required.
(SUB) Duncan Watmore: 7/10
Added pace and quality on the break to help the team survive a sorry second half showing.
(SUB) Grant Leadbitter: n/a
Brought on just before stoppage time.
Man of the Match
Lynden Gooch