Player Ratings: Sunderland 0-1 Manchester City
- Chris Sparks
- @chrissavedlatin
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Sunderland last night lost 1-0 to Manchester City in a good game at the Stadium of Light. The Black Cats performed admirably against one of the country’s better sides and were unlucky to leave without any points. New signings Jan Kirchhoff and Lamine Kone made their first starts in red and white and impressed throughout, whilst big money man Wahbi Khazri was introduced at the break and showed glimpses of quality.
Here are how the Wearsiders rated:
Vito Mannone - 5
His distribution was shocking at times today and he could have arguably done a bit better with the goal. Apart from that the Italian didn’t have an awful lot to do.
Billy Jones - 3
He is Sunderland’s weak link. He was poor both going forward and defensively all evening and was in a poor position for Aguero’s goal, although he was unlucky with a decent shot in the second half.
John O'Shea - 6
A rather quiet game for O’Shea who made little impact.
Lamine Kone - 7.5
A very encouraging debut from Kone. He is a fast and physical player and the way he manhandled Yaya Toure was just beautiful.
Patrick Van Aanholt - 6
A quiet game for Van Aanholt, the goal did come down his left-hand side which he will be disappointed with, although he did look his usual dangerous self when going forward.
Jan Kirchhoff - 9 (Man of the Match)
What a difference a few weeks make! The German was superb. He was like Sergio Busquets in the centre of the park for Sunderland in a defensive midfield role. Let’s hope for more of the same from the former Bayern Munich man!
Lee Cattermole - 5
A poor game from Cattermole who is having a tough time of late.
Yann M'Vila - 7
The Frenchman was decent tonight, he dealt with the Manchester City midfield with relative ease and was always looking to get Sunderland attacking.
Fabio Borini - 4
He did nothing. Not a single thing.
Jeremain Lens - 4
A poor first-half from Lens where nothing went in his favour led to his substitution at the break.
Jermain Defoe - 5.5
A tough afternoon for Defoe who was unlucky not to score. He was isolated up top with very little support in the first-half although he did look dangerous at times and caused the City defenders problems when they weren’t on the floor acting like children.
SUB: Wahbi Khazri - 7
He is superb at set-pieces and looked promising during his 45-minute display. He also tracks back which is already an improvement on Lens!
SUB: Adam Johnson - 6
Brought on to give Sunderland a bit more creativity but it didn’t quite work out for Johnson against his old team.
SUB: Dame N'Doye - 5
A poor cameo on his debut for N’Doye.