Phil Smith's Sunderland AFC player ratings: Who shone and struggled in important Ipswich Town win?

Charlie Wyke’s well-taken effort on the stroke of half-time

The triumph sees Lee Johnson register back-to-back league wins for the first time since his arrival on Wearside, and moves the Black Cats closer to the summit.

So who shone and struggled at Portman Road? Here’s our ratings from the clash:

LEE BURGE – The early red card made him a bystander for much of this, so credit is due for his concentration and agility in denying Luke Thomas in the second half with a superb stop. 7

MAX POWER – Got away with a big error in possession for that Thomas chance, but balanced that out with the superb cross for Wyke’s winner. Is occasionally caught out as he adjusts to a new position but he certainly is bringing something on the ball. 6

JORDAN WILLIS – One or two moments where he looked in a bit of trouble but he always recovered and defended well in the main. 6

BAILEY WRIGHT – Fortunate to escape serious injury from Jackson’s horrendous challenge but went off with a head injury after a clash of heads with Drinan in the second half. In between those moments he was excellent, strong defensively and with his distribution improved. 7

CALLUM McFADZEAN – Defended steadily and delivered one or two good crosses. 6

GRANT LEADBITTER – Short of his best in possession through the first half, but was a composed figure in the second when his side needed his experience. 6

JOSH SCOWEN – Sunderland needed more from the midfield in a first half when they were unable to make the most of their advantage, but Scowen was industrious in the second when the game opened up considerably. 5

CARL WINCHESTER – Was having a difficult first half as Sunderland struggled to break Ipswich down, picking up a yellow for a challenge after his own loose pass. To his credit he showed his quality with a superb backheel to open up the pitch for the opener. That ended his night on a high, Johnson sensibly protecting his side with a half-time sub. 6

AIDEN O’BRIEN – Arguably Sunderland’s best performer in the second half, making some really excellent runs. Unlucky not to get on the scoresheet, denied only by a superb block. Much better though the middle than out wide. 7

AIDEN McGEADY – Fired over from range on one or two occasions in a contest he was never really able to get into. Particularly in the first half the service to him was poor. 5

CHARLIE WYKE – Didn’t have too much sight of goal but it said everything about his form that he took his one real chance with such conviction. A simply superb finish and he led the line well in the latter stages. 7

Subs

ELLIOT EMBLETON – Started the second half well and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet. Faded a little as Ipswich rallied but finished strongly. 6

DION SANDERSON – Looked really comfortable after replacing the injured Wright. A classy operator and is ready to step in should Wright need time to recover. 6

LYNDEN GOOCH – He will be a big player for Johnson when able to get a sustained run of games, stretching the game with pace and intelligence whenever he could. 6

LUKE O’NIEN – Helped see the game out from an attacking midfield position. N/A

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