How did the players fare in Sunderland's 1-0 home defeat to Millwall?


SUNDERLAND (5-4-1):

6 Patterson: Didn’t have a chance with Watmore’s winner, and was a spectator for long periods of the game

6 Pembele: Never looked troubled defensively, but could have used the ball more effectively in the Millwall half

6 O’Nien: Kept Millwall’s forwards quiet for most of the afternoon as he displayed his usual commitment and effort

4 Ballard: Blotted his copybook when he allowed Watmore to break ahead of him to score Millwall’s winner

6 Alese: Was back in the starting side for the first time since mid-January, and looked comfortable in the five-man defence

6 STYLES: Moved into midfield after starting at left wing-back, and threatened with a second-half shot that was blocked

6 Rigg: Covered a lot of ground and produced a couple of nice touches before being replaced just after the hour mark

5 Ekwah: Didn’t have his usual midfield partner alongside him and gave the ball away cheaply on a couple of occasions

4 Bellingham: Started off in a deeper role, but was no more effective when switched back up front in the second half

4 Clarke: Couldn’t get any joy against the Milllwall defence, and was perhaps fortunate to avoid a second booking in the first half

5 Dack: Delivered a couple of useful corners, but failed to threaten the goal before being replaced at the interval


Subs:

5 Hume (for Dack, 46): Left the bench to form part of Sunderland’s five-man defence in the second half

6 Ba (for Pembele, 62): Added a bit of energy on Sunderland’s right-hand side in the closing stages

5 Aouchiche (for Rigg, 62): Tried to get into the 18-yard box, but failed to threaten the Millwall goal

Evans (for Styles, 81)

Mundle (for Alese, 81)

(not used): Bishop (gk), Hjelde, Burstow, Hemir.


MILLWALL (4-4-2):

Sarkic 7; Leonard 7, Tanganga 7, COOPER 8, McNamara 7; Honeyman 5 (Watmore 67, 7), de Norre 6 (Hutchinson 87), Saville 6, Longman 7 (Norton-Cuffy 87); Flemming 6, Obafemi 4 (Bradshaw 67, 5).

Subs (not used): Bialkowski (gk), Mayor, Esse, Harding, Nisbet.


Man Of The Match: JAKE COOPER – The Millwall skipper led by example at the heart of his side’s defence.