At St. Mary's Stadium, Sunderland lost to Southampton 4

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Following Sunderland’s 4–2 loss to Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium, Phil Smith rated the Sunderland players.

At St. Mary’s Stadium, Sunderland lost to Southampton 4–2. But how did each member of Mike Dodds’ team perform?

After an Adam Armstrong penalty and a goal from Stuart Armstrong, the Black Cats trailed 2-0 at the break. However, following the break, Sunderland managed to tie the score thanks to goals from Jobe Bellingham and Romaine Mundle in a nine-minute period.

However, Southampton won the game thanks to two close-range goals from replacement Joe Rothwell. At St Mary’s Stadium, Phil Smith gave the Sunderland players the following ratings:

Unlucky that another good save led to an opposition goal after Armstrong followed up Bednarek’s header that he’d done well to stop. Nothing he could really do about any of the other goals and almost got a hand to Armstrong’s penalty. 5

1. Anthony Patterson – 5

It’s unfortunate that Armstrong’s header, which he had done a terrific job of stopping, was followed by a goal from the opponents after another excellent save. He was unable to effectively intervene in any of the other goals and came dangerously close to handling Armstrong’s penalty.

Looked leggy at times and struggled against the fresh legs of Southampton substitute Kamaldeen Sulemana late on. 5

2. Trai Hume – 5

appeared lanky at times and found it difficult to keep up with Southampton substitute Kamaldeen Sulemana’s fresh legs in the latter stages.Pictured by Frank Reid

Southampton’s lead could have been bigger if not for his pace and powers of recovery at times in the first half. Went off in second half with an injury, with Sunderland looking very disjointed and conceded twice in the aftermath. 6

3. Dan Ballard – 6

If not for his quickness and occasionally miraculous recuperation in the first half, Southampton’s lead may have been greater. went out with an injury in the second half, leaving Sunderland looking very confused and giving up two goals as a result.

Similar performance to the Leicester game in that he showed some promise at times when stepping into midfield, nicking the ball and playing some decent passes. Also looked a little uncertain defensively. 5

4. Jenson Seelt – 5

Similar to the Leicester game, he occasionally showed potential by entering midfield, nicking the ball, and making some excellent passes. additionally seems rather unsure and defensive.

Didn’t offer much in possession during the first half and his move to the heart of defence after Ballard’s injury showed how stretched the squad is in that position at the moment. 5

5. Leo Hjelde – 5

During the first half, he didn’t contribute much in terms of possession, and his shift to the centre of defence following Ballard’s injury demonstrated how thin the club is at that position right now. 5 Image courtesy of Frank Reid

Sunderland’s best player by a fairly significant distance in a dreadful first half, and played a key part in the brief second-half comeback with an assist for Mundle’s goal. One or two moments where he lost possession but always showed for the ball and came out with credit again. 7

6. Dan Neil – 7

Despite a terrible first half, Sunderland’s finest player by a considerable margin was instrumental in the second half’s small comeback, setting up Mundle’s goal. There were one or two instances where he lost possession, but he always recovered and got the credit back.

A poor headed clearance from an early free kick gave Southampton the lead early. Scored a stunning strike to briefly level the scores in the second half, where he got on top of the game better. 5

7. Jobe Bellingham – 5

Southampton took the lead early thanks to a badly headed clearance on an early free kick. scored an incredible goal in the second half to momentarily tie the score, and he then improved his playmaking.

Started brightly and got into some nice areas before giving away a penalty for a challenge on Manning. A learning experience for the 16-year-old. 5

8. Chris Rigg – 5

began well, creating some good opportunities before giving up a penalty for a challenge on Manning. An educational opportunity for the sixteen-year-old.

Got past his marker once or twice in the first half but produced very little and was very quiet in the second half. Didn’t look comfortable on the left flank. 4

9. Abdoullah Ba – 4

Once or twice in the first half, managed to go past his marker; however, in the second half, he produced very little and was quite quiet. didn’t appear to be at ease on the left side. 4Pictured by Frank Reid

Scored a very good goal to launch Sunderland’s brief comeback, leaving Bazunu with no chance from the edge of the area. Put in a couple of good crosses in the first half that no one was there to attack. Definitely has some quality. 6

10. Romaine Mundle – 6

scored a really strong goal to start Sunderland’s fleeting resurgence, denying Bazunu any opportunity from the outskirts. During the first half, you put in a few excellent crosses that no one was able to capitalise on. Has merit, without a doubt. SixPictured by Frank Reid

Couldn’t hold the ball up early on, inviting pressure on Sunderland’s backline. Improved a touch on that front and did strike the woodwork with a decent effort from a narrow angle, but withdrawn early in the second half having been unable to impact the contest. 4

11. Mason Burstow – 4

unable to keep the ball up early, allowing Sunderland’s defence to come under pressure. little better on that front and did manage to hit the post with a respectable effort from a close range, but withdrew early in the second half after failing to have an effect on the match. 4Pictured by Frank Reid

Brought some energy to the forward line and helped Sunderland get up to the pitch, though couldn’t make the most of a couple of promising openings inside the box. Probably unlucky not to start given the first-half performance generally. 5

12. Nazariy Rusyn (sub) – 5

helped Sunderland get on the pitch and added some vigour to the attacking line, but he was unable to capitalise on a few good opportunities inside the box. Very unfortunate not to start, considering the overall first-half showing.

His passing and efforts didn’t always come off but Sunderland improved immediately after his introduction and in a side low on confidence and creativity it’s hard to understand why he isn’t getting the chance to start. That surely has to change next weekend. 6

13. Adil Aouchiche (sub) – 6

Although his passing and efforts weren’t always successful, Sunderland quickly improved after he was brought on, so it’s difficult to see why he isn’t getting the opportunity to start for a team lacking in confidence and inventiveness. Next weekend, it has to alter, for sure. SixPictured by Frank Reid

Didn’t get a chance to get into the game before Southampton pulled clear with two quick goals - a reshuffled left side of the defence badly exposed on the break. 5

14. Callum Styles (sub) – 5

didn’t get an opportunity to enter the game before Southampton won by two early goals, leaving their reorganised left side of the defenders vulnerable to attacks. 5.Pictured by Frank Reid

A brief cameo late on - a couple of nice passes and one or two moments where Southampton were able to play through. 5

15. Pierre Ekwah (sub) – 5

A short cameo in the latter stages, with a few excellent passes and one or two instances where Southampton managed to find a way through.

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