How did the players fare in Sunderland’s 1-0 defeat to Leicester City?
SUNDERLAND (5-4-1):
8 PATTERSON: Leicester would have been out of sight had he not made three brilliant saves in the early stages of the game
6 Hume: Was Sunderland’s best attacker in the second half as he forced Hermansen into two saves with long-range strikes
5 Seelt: Played as the right of the three centre-halves, but his wandering didn’t really work, especially in the first half
5 Ballard: Improved defensively as the game wore on, and had a strong penalty shout when he went down in stoppage time
4 O’Nien: Couldn’t deal with Leicester’s attacking fluidity in the early stages and picked up a booking that means he will be suspended for two games
4 Hjelde: Struggled defensively, especially in the opening quarter of the game, and wasted a couple of decent positions with poor crosses
6 Rigg: Made his first league start, and did not look out of place as he grew into the game and became more confident in the second half
6 Neil: Kept trying to drive forward, and was a key factor in his side’s much-improved showing after the interval
4 Ekwah: Never got to grips with the Leicester midfield, and had offered little before he was replaced midway through the second half
5 Bellingham: The debate over whether or not he needs a rest will continue, but his effort could not be questioned despite a lack of end product
4 Hemir: Continues to look out of his depth, although he is hardly being helped by a chronic lack of service
Subs:
6 Aouchiche (for Ekwah, 59): Made a big difference when he came on, adding some much-needed energy to Sunderland’s attacking
5 Mundle (for Hemir, 59): Didn’t do enough to stretch the Leicester defence in the closing stages
Rusyn (for Rigg, 82)
Styles (for Bellingham, 82)
(not used): Bishop (gk), Pembele, Kelly, Ba, Burstow.
LEICESTER (4-2-3-1):
Hermansen 7; Choudhury 7, Coady 6, Faes 7, Doyle 6; Winks 6, DEWSBURY-HALL 8; Fatawu 6 (Justin 86), Akgun 7 (Ndidi 71), Mavididi 6; Vardy 7 (Iheanacho 78).
Subs (not used): Stolarczyk (gk), Souttar, Nelson, Marcal, Albrighton, Daka.
Man Of The Match: KIERNAN DEWSBURY-HALL – The Leicester midfielder was his side’s driving force, getting behind the Leicester defence early on and taking the ball upfield when Sunderland were applying pressure late on.
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