Sunderland got back to winning ways with a 3-1 victory over Stoke City at the Stadium of Light – but who stood out for Michael Beale’s side?
The Black Cats went ahead on the stroke of half-time when Mason Burstow headed the ball back towards goal and was awarded his first goal as a Sunderland player.
Abdoullah Ba then added a second for the hosts shortly after the interval, before Pierre Ekwah made it 3-0 in the 70th minute. Stoke did manage to pull a goal back when Jenson Seelt diverted the ball into his own net, yet it was too little too late.
Here’s how Phil Smith rated the Sunderland players at the Stadium of Light:
5. Trai Hume - 6
Stuck to his task well. Stoke actually produced a very dangerous attacking performance but spurned a lot of chances in a wide open game. Hume is doing a good job for the side out of position. 6 Photo: Frank Reid
6. Dan Neil - 7
Did an important job for the team at the base of midfield, which in turn released Ekwah to break forward. Not his best role by any means but got through the game and played his part in an important win. Retained possession well and made a couple of good challenges. 7 Photo: Frank Reid
7. Pierre Ekwah - 7
Took his goal very, very well and looked more like his old self in a more attacking role in midfield. Broke into good forward areas and was a threat. 7 Photo: Frank Reid
8. Abdoullah Ba - 9
Took him a while to get into the game but his end product was very good. A fantastic leap to beat two Stoke defenders to a loose ball for Burstow’s opener, and then a very composed finish doubled his side’s advantage at an important time in the game. 9 Photo: Frank Reid