Sunderland’s Premier League journey continued with a trip to the City Ground as Régis Le Bris’ side faced Nottingham Forest under the lights. It was another opportunity to measure themselves against established top-flight opposition, and another chance to show the qualities that have defined their return to the big stage so far.
The contest had its share of tension and talking points – as is often the case in the Premier League – and once again it left plenty for supporters to debate long after the final whistle. There were spells of pressure, moments of resilience and flashes of individual quality that shaped the flow of the game.
For Sunderland, this was as much about character as it was about points, with every performance scrutinised as the team continue to adjust to the demands of the division. From the senior figures expected to set the tone to the younger talents tasked with stepping up on the biggest stage, all eyes were on how the squad coped with the challenge.
Phil Smith was at the City Ground to deliver his verdict on how each Black Cats player fared – here are his ratings from the game:
5. Arthur Masuaku
Whipped a couple of gorgeous crosses into the box. Didn’t always convince defensively and was caught out once or twice, but came through the test. A valuable hour under his belt. 6 | Chris Fryatt
6. Granit Xhaka
His best performance yet. Wonderful assist for the goal and barely put a foot wrong elsewhere. Broke up the play, picked his passes perfectly and never looked ruffled. Outstanding. 9 | Chris Fryatt
7. Noah Sadiki
Another impressive display of endurance, covering so much ground throughout. A threat driving forward on the ball and dealt with an early yellow with good maturity. 8 | Chris Fryatt
8. Chris Rigg
A couple of heavy touches in the first half but competed very well and looked comfortable at the level. Replaced just before the hour mark but another step forward. 6 | Getty Images