Black Cats are having a disastrous campaign under David Moyes who are placed rock bottom in the league table with no signs of improvement. Hull City, Swansea City, Leicester City and Crystal Palace – who have been around the drop zone, showed promises in recent weeks and are fighting hard to save relegation. Sunderland, who have managed several ‘great escapes’ in past seasons, are expected to be relegated at last unless they show drastic improvement in remaining fixtures. However, the scenario did not change as they could not stop Manchester City from leaving Wearside with maximum points with a 0-2 away victory.
Below are Sunderland players rated from this fixture.
Jordan Pickford: 6.5
The young keeper could have done nothing to stop either of City’s goals and helped his side from losing by a bigger margin by pulling off a couple of fine saves to deny Silva and Aguero.
Billy Jones: 5
Had a poor evening as he found it difficult to keep up with the pace of Sane. Whipped in a few crosses in early minutes but failed to find anyone on most occasions.
Lamine Kone: 5.5
Started the game brightly but failed to contain the likes of Aguero, Sane and Sterling as they kept on playing one-twos repeatedly.
John O’Shea: 5.5
The skipper had a solid start making tackles and blocks to resist City’s threat. However, he could not prevent his side from conceding twice.
Bryan Oviedo: 5
Was good going forward; should have contributed more to his defence.
Darron Gibson: 6
The former Everton midfielder was composed in midfield, placed a few decent through balls for Defoe and Borini. Was subbed off with 20 minutes remaining due to a knock.
Didier Ndong: 4
Had a poor outing as he remained largely unnoticed and failed to break City’s attacks that mostly generated in midfield.
Sebastian Larsson: 6
Had a good first half with a few crosses and key passes. His box to box movements paved the way for the attackers to create pressure on the City back-line. His effort was diverted by Caballero with thirty minutes remaining as the City custodian denied him from staging a late comeback.
Adnan Januzaj: 5.5
Had a bright start, skipped past City defenders with ease using his pace, trickery and directness. However, his efforts had no end product and he was replaced by Wahbi Khazri late into the game.
Fabio Borini: 6
The former Liverpool forward linked up well with Jermain Defoe in early minutes. He, as usual, worked tirelessly throughout but lacked finishing that cost his side yet again.
Jermain Defoe: 6.5
The veteran Englishman has been their highest scorer and could have found the back of the net early in the game if he had not been denied by the post. Failed to convert a few half chances and a late effort was flagged off-side. Not his day.
Substitutes
Jack Rodwell: 6
Rodwell was introduced in place of injured Gibson. He tried his best to adjust to an attacking role to help his forwards. But his influence could not alter the scoreline.
Wahbi Khazri: NA
Came late into the game in place of Januzaj. Did too little to warrant a rating.
