Sunderland got their points tally for the new season off the mark today in a well-deserved point against in-form Swansea City. Jermain Defoe scored on the hour mark to cancel out Gomis’ first half strike. A crowd of almost 40,000 backed the Black Cats and they will have been pleased with what they saw. A much better performance both in terms of quality and effort by Sunderland and they were perhaps unlucky not to get all three points after they were denied a clear penalty in the second half. Read Sunderland rate the Black Cats players on their performance today.
Costel Pantilimon – 8 (Man of the Match)
Three world class saves in the second half kept Sunderland in the game. The giant Romanian was on top form today and looked a calm figure between the sticks. His kicking was poor at times but his all-round display today was top quality.
Billy Jones – 6
Jones’ best game so far this year, he was dealt a difficult task in keeping Jefferson Montero quiet but he did an OK job.
Sebastian Coates – 7
The Uruguayan looks a lot more convincing and composed playing alongside O’Shea. He was very good defensively today and maybe should have scored in the dying moments too when he blazed a header high and wide.
John O’Shea – 8
The captain returned to the defence today and without a doubt improved it. He was a composed figure at the back and provided much-needed leadership.
Patrick Van Aanholt – 6
Did a decent job today but Swansea’s goal came down the left side of the defence again today. Despite that the Dutchman can be pleased with his efforts today.
Yann M’Vila – 8
Didn’t put a foot wrong today and looks like a fantastic signing. He breaks up play and controls the midfield with ease, the Frenchman will only get better as his fitness improves also.
Lee Cattermole – 7
Typical Cattermole performance, great work ethic and was a good shield for the defence, keeping Shelvey and Sigurdsson quiet for long spells this afternoon.
Jack Rodwell – 8
Recalled to the side today and did very well. He was an unsung hero today, going about his job quietly, breaking up play, defending from the front and playing some nice balls, more of the same please Jack!
Jeremain Lens – 8
The Dutch winger was bright all afternoon and was a thorn in the Swansea defence. He was not in the referees good books today but Lens was the creative spark Sunderland have lacked in recent times.
Danny Graham – 6
Tried hard today and was full of running but it didn’t really work out for Graham. The Swansea defence won most of the headers but he did play a part in the lead up to Defoe’s equaliser.
Jermain Defoe – 7
A goal for Defoe today will do his confidence the world of good. He lost his man for Swansea’s goal but repaid the support today with a well taken goal.
Substitutes:
Steven Fletcher – 6
Looked lively and a much bigger goal threat than Graham but didn’t do an awful lot.
Duncan Watmore – 6
Direct and enthusiastic as ever but didn’t have quite the impact as last week
Seb Larsson – 5
A nice 30-second cameo, he missed his free-kick though!
