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