David Moyes’ Sunderland side fell to their 4th defeat this season already as their trip to White Hart Lane yielded just the one goal, that was scored in their own net. The visitors were resilient till the hour mark but a mistake from Djilobodji saw Harry Kane give the home side the lead which they managed to hold on till the final whistle. The Black Cats were completely dominated on the night as most players hardly had any answers to the pressure Pochettino’s side put on them. It is a game where they were not really humiliated in but a loss is a loss nonetheless. So let’s take a look at how each player performed in the game against Spurs. Here are their player ratings:
Jordan Pickford 8/10
Arguably the man of the match on the night even from a losing side, Pickford, made at least 5 top class saves on the night as he kept his team in the game right until the final whistle.
Lamine Kone 7/10
Though should have done better in the build-up to Kane’s goal, Kone, who was at times careless in possession, was superb defensively as he dominated his box in the air and also on the ground in a decent performance.
Papy Djilobodji 4/10
He was all over the place on the night as he was directly responsible for Kane’s goal on the hour mark. Though made some crucial interceptions, he was not the strong presence Sunderland need at the back this season.
Javier Manquillo 6/10
He gave his all in the game for his side as he put in a shift covering the whole length of the field on the flank. Also provided Sunderland with some width in the attack on a decent night for the Spaniard.
Jan Kirchhoff 5/10
Though provided enough cover for the back four, Kirchhoff was just not able to control the midfield of the game for his side as they failed to get on the ball and keep it for a decent amount of time in the entire game.
Lee Cattermole 6/10
In a brilliant performance for a player who is making his debut this season, Cattermole was superb in the midfield making a number of crucial interceptions and saves on the night and also providing an additional number when possible in attack.
Didier Ndong 7/10
Possibly the best outfield player for Sunderland on the night, Ndong, was full of energy, as he charged the home side down in the midfield to try and steal the ball in dangerous areas. Was decent in possession but needs to be more effective for Moyes’ liking.
Adnan Januzaj 5/10
Was expected to trouble the Spurs’ defense on the night but the winger, who had a decent start to the game, was just not able to create chances for his side and was a liability until he was sent off for picking up a couple of yellow for rash challenges.
Steven Pienaar 6/10
Having just come back from injury, the former Everton man was instrumental in his team winning the ball in the midfield and driving towards goal. He also put in a defensive shift that helped his side stay in the game right until the end.
Jermaine Defoe 5/10
Created space to shoot for himself in dangerous areas on more than one occasion but was just not able to breach Hugo Lloris goal as he failed to give his side even a point from this game.
Substitutes
Duncan Watmore 6/10
Added a much-needed impetus into the Sunderland play after replacing Pienaar with almost half an hour to play but was not able to find the back of the net and give his team a chance to take a point from this game.
Wahbi Khazri 5/10
Came on for Kirchhoff late in the game and did not have enough time to settle into and impact the game on the night.
Paddy McNair N/A
Came in after the end of the 90 minutes and hardly had a touch of the ball.
