Player Ratings: Sunderland 1-0 Harrogate - Late Grigg goal saves lacklustre Black Cats performance

Lee Burge: 6/10

For all Sunderland’s struggles to dominate their League Two opponents, Burge barely had a save to make.

Jordan Willis: 5/10

Passed the ball badly throughout, lacked his usual decisiveness.

Bailey Wright: 7/10

Got off to a commanding start and showcased his usual composure, had difficulty at times in the air, but looked much more assured than his central defensive partners.

Tom Flanagan: 4/10

Made one super challenge to cover for Wright, but outside of that he was laughably bad. Flanagan’s passing was so poor if you didn’t know better, you’d assume he was deliberately giving the ball away to prove to Phil Parkinson that he can’t play on the left.

Luke O’Nien: 6/10

Something just seems to be off with O’Nien. He produced one outstanding cross and had some of the team’s most inventive passes in the first half. But he was more hesitant and indecisive than usual, and also eased pressure on the visitors with some poor fouls.

Max Power: 7/10

Continues to show improvement defensively and was reliable if unspectacular in his passing all afternoon.

Josh Scowen: 7/10

Scowen showed flashes of technical ability that were so good and out of place in this game, that it made you question why Parkinson used him so sparingly last term.

Denver Hume: 6/10

Inconsistent as always. Guilty of running into traffic too often, but did better out wide in attacking areas, producing some great Sunderland chances from clever cut backs.

Chris Maguire: 7/10

Sunderland’s best moments in the game typically involved Maguire, the problem was there was so few of them. Looked a step ahead of the Harrogate defence when he was involved.

Lynden Gooch: 5/10

Struggled with his touch and decision-making all afternoon, fluffed a big chance after failing to control a perfect Maguire through ball.

Charlie Wyke: 4/10

Barely involved in the game, struggled to protect the ball. His lack of pace also meant some great through balls went to waste.

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(SUB) Conor McLaughlin: 6/10

Brought greater composure on the right hand side of the Sunderland defence after replacing Willis at half-time.

(SUB) Aiden O’Brien: 6/10

His quick feet and intelligent movement added a different dimension to the Sunderland attack. Guilty of wasting possession on a few occasions when dropped into midfield.

(SUB) Will Grigg: 7/10

Linked play well and helped stretch the game as the hosts finally improved late on. Crucially, scored Sunderland’s late opener.

(SUB) George Dobson: 7/10

Was assured in possession and helped Sunderland pressurise Harrogate on the counter.

(SUB) Dan Neil: 7/10

Looked lively and skillful, showed great awareness and quality to lay on Grigg’s goal.

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Man of the Match

Bailey Wright

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