Salut’s correspondent between schoolwork, Keir Bradwell, assesses our latest win (not a combination of words we’ve been able to use recently) against relegation rivals, Cardiff…
Sunderland 4 Cardiff 0: Player Ratings
Survival was never in any doubt…
Vito Mannone – 8
Made a brilliant save over a Peter Whittingham free-kick, but aside from that, had little to do. Gets such a high mark for that save alone, as we were only 2-0 up by that point, and conceding could’ve derailed what followed.
Santiago Vergini – 6
He just looks so clumsy. The way he gives the ball away in Cardiff’s half, loses it, then tries–but fails–to redeem himself by making a late tackle, which is late and earns him a booking. Didn’t seem to offer much offensively either, although was very good defensively.
Wes Brown – 8
A return to form for Brown. He made some brilliant defensive headers and dug us out of trouble more than once. Bought back memories of him in December and January, when he was phenomenal week in, week out.
John O’Shea – 7
Like Wes Brown, but less spectacular and not quite as involved.
Marcos Alonso – 8
Showed at least a bit of pace, getting forward often from defence, which provided with a much-needed passing outlet down that left-hand side. Got involved a lot more than he usually does: a welcome sight.
Lee Cattermole – 9
Outstanding. Acted as a ball-winning central midfielder, protecting his back four by making brilliant tackles early in their attacks, and then wafting dreamy passes up field from back in our half. Faultless, apart from his yellow card (that means faultless with no “apart from”, Keir. No yellow; see Comments – ed).
Seb Larsson – 9
Larsson seems to have hit a bit of form in the right for us. He ran miles and miles, without tiring at all. His recent performances have helped get us out of the trouble we were in and hopefully towards safety.
Jack Colback – 9
Was absolutely everywhere, did everything. Similar to Larsson in that he has a phenomenal work rate that has helped lift us off the bottom of the table.
Adam Johnson – 7
Hasn’t scored in a while, but was certainly a huge part of our attack, and at least deserved a goal. Offered a threat from dead balls and creating chances.
Fabio Borini – 9
Scored one, assisted one. That’ll do for me.
Connor Wickham – 10
Incredible. Five goals in three games. Both of these were headers, the first a beautiful flick over the goalkeeper into the far corner, the other a low bouncing one into the bottom corner. Offers a big presence in attack, with huge amounts of strength.
Emanuele Giaccherini – 9
Last week I said I’d not give high marks to substitutes, but it has dawned on me that Giaccherini is doing a brilliant job of being a ‘super sub’. A goal and an assist from the bench is incredible, a bit like his finish for our third of the day, slotting the ball past their ‘keeper.
Craig Gardner – 6
Didn’t really do anything.
Liam Bridcutt – 6
Also didn’t really do anything.
Cattermole didn’t get a yellow and thought Vergini played well IMO
Bit harsh, we win 4-0 and everyone gets a minus score ? Not sure about Alonso myself. I thought he was poor at Chelsea. Seems like every winger in the league can beat him for pace on the outside and get a cross in.
Vergini played well, not really a right back but comfortable enough on the ball and able to get forward.
Useful to have his height when necessary, not the most gainly of movers but a useful addition to the squad.
Vergini is progressing and your calling him clumsy, are u sure you even saw the game?
I am in fact, very sure I saw the game. Premier Concourse.
Vergini once tried to clear the ball up the field.
It bounced off his other leg for a Cardiff throw.
Did you watch the game?
Bit harsh on Vergini. Catts gets my praise for (just) keeping his head when it looked like he was losing it in a running spat in first half with Mutch. And his passing, which can be abysmal, was top notch.
I thought Vergini had a good game.
Cardiff obviously had the “get Cattermole sent off tactic” as part of their plans. Fortunately it backfired.