Dealt with set plays well and had few saves to make. Did get away with one or two slack passes out from the back. 6 | Frank Reid

placeholder image — Dealt with set plays well and had few saves to make. Did get away with one or two slack passes out from the back. 6 | Frank Reid

'Livewire': Phil Smith's Sunderland player rating photos after Portsmouth win with two 8s - gallery

By Phil Smith

Sunderland AFC Writer

Published 5th Jan 2025, 16:59 GMT

Updated 6th Jan 2025, 09:32 GMT

Wilson Isidor’s early goal helped Sunderland beat Portsmouth at the Stadium of Light

Sunderland closed the gap to the automatic promotion places to just two points after a hard-fought win over Portsmouth.

Wilson Isidor's early goal, his third in four games, proved the difference between the two sides. Portsmouth battled hard and put up stout resistance even after Marlon Pack's second-half red card, but the Black Cats held on for another crucial home win.

Here’s how we rated the Black Cats...