'Dominant': Phil Smith's Sunderland player rating photos after convincing Preston win - including two 9s
Sunderland beat Preston 3-0 at Deepdale to secure their place in the Championship play-offs – but who stood out for Tony Mowbray’s side at Deepdale?
By Phil Smith
Published 8th May 2023, 17:11 BST
Updated 8th May 2023, 17:35 BST
After a goalless first half, Amad put the visitors ahead with an excellent strike into the top corner.
Substitute Alex Pritchard then added a second before Jack Clarke completed the scoring with a low effort.
After Millwall failed to beat Blackburn, Sunderland moved into the top six and will now face Luton in the play-offs.
Here’s how Phil Smith rated the Sunderland players against Preston:
After Millwall failed to beat Blackburn, Sunderland moved into the top six and will now face Luton in the play-offs.
9. Amad - 8
Took him a while to get into the game but his goal might even have been the best of his Sunderland spell so far. An outrageous, first-time effort that left Woodman with no chance. 8 Photo: Frank Reid
Was the side’s biggest threat throughout the first half and his persistence was eventually rewarded in the second half with a fine finish into the far corner. What a season he’s had. 8 Photo: Martin Swinney
Drew one stunning save from Woodman in the first half. The introduction of Pritchard at the break gave him more space to link play, and he was part of the dazzling surge that followed. 7 Photo: Frank Reid
A game-changing sub from Mowbray. Scored a fine goal and constantly picked up clever positions. Preston couldn’t get near him and those around him found the space they needed. 9 Photo: Frank Reid