Carl Winchester.Carl Winchester.
Carl Winchester.

'Struggled' 'Switched off': Phil Smith's Sunderland player ratings as Cats miss chance to go top of League One after Lincoln defeat

Sunderland missed the chance to go top of League One as they were beaten 3-1 by Lincoln at the Stadium of Light – but how did each player fare?

Former Black Cats forward Chris Maguire scored a hat-trick and celebrated his opening goal in front of Sunderland boss Lee Johnson.

Carl Winchester was sent off for the hosts after conceding a penalty - which Maguire converted to make it 2-0.

Ross Stewart did pull a goal back from the spot for Sunderland, before Maguire sealed the match with his third.

Our chief Sunderland writer Phil Smith has delivered his verdict on how each player fared for the Black Cats:

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