How did the players fare in Sunderland’s 4-1 win at Wigan Athletic?


WIGAN (4-4-1-1):

Jones 4; Darikwa 4, Hughes 5 (Nyambe 17, 4), Tilt 4, McCLEAN 5; Lang 4 (Edwards 74), Power 4, Naylor 4, Aasgaard 5 (Shinnie 62, 4); Keane 5; Fletcher 4.

Subs (not used): Amos (gk), Cousins, Broadhead, Bennett.


SUNDERLAND (3-4-2-1):

7 Patterson: Might have done better with the shot for Wigan’s equaliser but cleared his line with a couple of excellent punches

7 Wright: Returned to the starting line-up to deliver an assured and composed defensive display

7 Ballard: Continues to look dominant and aggressive in his central-defensive role – should be a key player in the second half of the season

8 O’Nien: Set the tone for Sunderland’s display with a couple of thumping early challenges – remains happy to play anywhere on the pitch

8 Hume: Produced a fine performance as a right wing-back – got forward on a number of occasions and was always in the right place defensively

8 Neil: Delivered an extremely mature performance at the base of midfield that enabled Sunderland’s attacking players to break forward ahead of him

8 Michut: Showed why Tony Mowbray has been so keen to get him into the team – extremely polished and confident in possession

7 Clarke: Looked comfortable having been switched to a wing-back role – delivered the cross that led to the opening goal

9 BA: Caused the Wigan defence a series of problems whenever he broke forward – is another valuable addition to Sunderland’s attacking ranks

8 Amad: Added to his growing list of wonder goals with another sensational strike in the closing stages of the game

7 Simms: Opened the scoring with a close-range header and led the line effectively for the opening hour


Subs:

8 Roberts (for Clarke, 62): Made a major impact in the closing stages, claiming the third goal after a slick one-two with Neil

5 Pritchard (for Michut, 62): Suffered another injury setback as he was forced off just moments after coming on

8 Stewart (for Simms, 62): Claimed another goal from the penalty spot and looks like scoring whenever he is on the field

6 Matete (for Pritchard, 68): Helped ensure Sunderland’s midfield was not overrun in the closing stages of the game

Dajaku (for Ba, 72)

(not used): Bass (gk), Bennette.


Man Of The Match: ABDOULLAH BA – Caught the eye repeatedly in his advanced attacking-midfield role – his pace and direct running makes him a huge attacking threat.