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Remi Matthews: 4/10
Threw one in under no pressure - a debut to forget. Did make a good save from Gavin Reilly but I suspect his first impression might be a lasting one.
Tom Flanagan: 5/10
Can’t say I noticed him too much. Few canny medium-length passes up the line to Diamond but can be occasionally caught out on the ball and then way out of position.
Morgan Feeney: 6/10
Quietly reassuring performance. Suits the role of the middle defender in the three and doesn’t fart about - just clears his lines and minimises the window for mistakes. Worth noting that he made a really good 70 yard pass to McLaughlin.
Jordan Willis: 5/10
Not a vintage Willis performance in the first half. Gave the ball away a few times which resulted in Carlisle putting us on the back foot, but nothing too costly.
Conor McLaughlin: 5/10
Was unlucky not to score with his header early in the game but I think we can confirm that he’s never a right wing back in a million years. His complete lack of pace and inability to take his man on exposes him in that role.
Max Power: 6.5/10
Tidy. Never looked phased and his passing was crisp.
Josh Scowen: 6.5/10
Just like Power, he had a decent game. I like that he arrives late into the box and always gives the wide players an option on the edge of the box. Think he’ll score goals this season.
Jack Diamond: 6/10
Mixed bag from Diamond, but understandable given he was out of position. I’d say his performance was more positive than it was negative. Some great crosses, and some not so great ones, but nothing to grumble about. Love his fearless approach to taking his man on.
Will Grigg: 5/10
Quiet game from Grigg, who tried to run the channels but just didn’t see the quality of ball he’d usually get if he had spent more time on the pitch with, say, Chris Maguire.
Aiden O’Brien: 5/10
Held the ball up well but didn’t look particularly threatening. Was one moment in the first half where he could have gone through on goal but instead stopped short to complain at the ref for a foul on Scowen.
Lynden Gooch: 4/10
Completely anonymous and his set pieces were terrible.
(SUB) Dan Neil: 7.5/10
Missed a sitter at 1-1, skying his shot, but played some fabulous passes in his short stint on the field. Was unlucky not to score when he hit the post, and saw a lot of the ball.
(SUB) Luke O’Nien: 7/10
Gave us some impetus at a time when we felt flat. Got forward well and put the ball on a plate for Maguire for our second.
(SUB) George Dobson: 6/10
Gave the same sort of energy to our midfield that had previously been seen by Power, but there wasn’t a great deal asked of him.
(SUB) Grant Leadbitter: 7/10
Played a fantastic pass to set O’Nien away for our second goal.
(SUB) Denver Hume: 7/10
His presence was felt immediately, putting the cross in for Charlie Wyke’s leveller about a minute after he came on the pitch. Gave us the width and pace we had been sorely lacking in the final third before his arrival.
(SUB) Chris Maguire: 7.5/10
Fantastic ball in to create the chance which Dan Neil really should have finished, followed soon after by a tap in to give us the lead. Maybe could have done better with a few other chances but we just looked so much better with him on the park - he was a class above anyone else on the pitch.
(SUB) Anthony Patterson: 6/10
Didn’t have a lot to do.
(SUB) Brandon Taylor: 6/10
Benefitted from the fact Sunderland had Carlisle on the back foot for the last 30 - just breezed through the game under very little pressure.
(SUB) Bailey Wright: 6/10
Just like Taylor, he didn’t have much hassle to deal with.
(SUB) Charlie Wyke: 8/10
Was well-placed to finish his goal just over a minute after coming on, and held the ball up well when involved in other attacks. His second goal was a wonderfully composed finish after he steadied himself well to place the ball home.
Man of the Match
Charlie Wyke