The Black Cats were reduced to 10 men in the first half when Luke O’Nien was shown a straight red card for a tackle on Ollie Cooper, yet the game remained goalless at half-time.
Swansea took the lead when Joel Piroe opened the scoring five minutes before the interval, yet Dan Neil was able to level the score for Tony Mowbray’s side.
Sunderland weren’t able to hang on though, with Liam Cullen and Cooper both getting on the scoresheet.
Here’s how Phil Smith rated the Sunderland players at the Stadium of Light:
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Daniel Ballard playing for Sunderland against Swansea. Photo: FRANK REID 2022
. Anthony Patterson - 5
Little he could have done with the first two goals, though may feel he could have stopped the third. Distribution was mixed. 5 Photo: Martin Swinney
. Lynden Gooch - 5
Showed a lot of energy and got into some good areas offensively, but two of Swansea’s goals came down the home side’s right flank as they utilised the spare player. 5 Photo: Frank Reid
. Daniel Ballard - 6
Competed well and showed a good turn of pace - just an afternoon where everything went against Sunderland. 6 Photo: Frank Reid
. Luke O’Nien - 4
Felt as if the reaction of the Swansea players was key to the decision to send him off but no doubt that it was a seriously rash challenge. 4 Photo: Frank Reid
. Trai Hume - 7
Brought the ball out from the back well and defended tenaciously. Another spirited showing that has done his first-team prospects no harm. 7 Photo: Frank Reid
9. Amad - 5
Some nice touches but Sunderland going down to ten left him with little time and space on the ball to make the impact he’s capable of. 5 Photo: Frank Reid
10. Jack Clarke - 7
Put in a real shift and maintained a threat throughout, with an excellent bit of footwork and a good cross forcing the initial equaliser for his side. 7 Photo: Martin Swinney
11. Ross Stewart - 6
Huge output in terms of his running to lead the line with ten, and got zero change from the officials in his battle with the Swansea defence. 6 Photo: Frank Reid
12. Danny Batth (sub) - 7
An excellent performance on his return to the side, defending well and even producing an assist for Neil’s goal. 7 Photo: Frank Reid