Sunderland 1-2 Cardiff City: Player ratings as Black Cats beaten at home again

A Joe Ralls penalty saw Sunderland fall to their fourth home defeat of the season.

Here's how the Black Cats rated..

ROBBIN RUITER

Made smart stops after long-range efforts from Bryson and Manga in the second half. Little chance with either goal. 6

ADAM MATTHEWS

Sunderland's best defender. Got the better of Nathaniel Mendez-Laing after being moved to left-back and that was crucial to getting Sunderland back into the game. 6

LAMINE KONE

Will feel harshly done by for the penalty but gave the referee a decision to make after seemingly losing his man. Also caught cold for the opener as Bryson coasted by to score. 4

TYIAS BROWNING

Resilient after moving to right-back. Booked harshly in the second half. Question marks for all three centre-backs after conceding a woeful opener. 5

MARC WILSON

Largely came out on top in his battle with highly-rated Zohore but looked uncertain on occasions. 5

BRYAN OVIEDO (Robson, 78)

A strange performance. Unable to cope with Mendez-Laing defensively in a period where Sunderland nearly went under. Slightly better on the wing and hit the post with a good effort. 4

LEE CATTERMOLE

Early booking for a late and rash foul took him out of the game to a large extent. Sliced a shot when free in the box late on. 4

DIDIER NDONG (Asoro, 78)

Is well short of his best form. Unable to take any control in midfield and little incision on the ball. 5

GEORGE HONEYMAN (McGeady 60)

Unable to influence proceedings in an attacking sense. Started in his preferred central role but shifted out wide as Grayson looked to tighten things up. 5

LYNDEN GOOCH

Struggled for much of the first half but showed great bravery and composure with the penalty, which was won thanks to his own persistence. 7

JAMES VAUGHAN

No shortage of application and competed with the physical Morrison and Manga all afternoon. Unable to make any serious inroads. 5

Subs

AIDEN McGEADY

Couldn't quite find the final ball but Sunderland are clearly a better side with him in it. 5

JOEL ASORO

Showed his pace but unable to get into threatening areas. 5

ETHAN ROBSON

Brought on for his league debut. Couldn't trouble Etheridge with a late effort in space. 5

Unused: Steele, Gibson, O'Shea, Galloway

Cardiff City XI: Etheridge; Richards, Manga, Morrison (C), Bennett; Gunnarsson, (Bamba, 90) Bryson, Ralls; Mendez-Laing, Feeney (Hoilett, 67), Zohore (84)

Unused Subs: Murphy, Halford, Bogle, Tomlin

Bookings: Cattermole (10) Richards (18) Gunnarsson (60) Browning (70) Ralls (79)

Attendance: 25,733