Sunderland fell to a cruel 0-1 defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur this afternoon, after a late Ryan Mason goal saw the Londoners steal all three points. The Black Cats began lively and were the dominant team for the majority of the game, with Jermain Defoe and Jack Rodwell hitting the woodwork. The Wearsiders are still without a win in the league, but can head into next week’s game away to Bournemouth with optimism after an encouraging performance. Below are the player ratings for today’s game.
Costel Pantilimon – 7
The Romanian couldn’t do an awful lot with the goal and was fairly untroubled for the rest of the game. He made a few smart saves and was dominant with his crosses, his kicking was still a bit poor, but he was a lot better today.
Billy Jones – 7
Jones played a lot better today and handled Son well on his debut for Spurs. He was also an attacking threat and combined well with Borini at the beginning of the second period.
John O’Shea – 7
The Irishman is beginning to start a very good partnership with Kaboul in the heart of the defence. He dealt with Harry Kane well today and was very composed all afternoon.
Younes Kaboul – 8 (Man of the Match)
His best Sunderland display so far against his former club, he was dominant in the air and was very good going forward too. Hopefully more of the same from the Frenchman in the coming weeks.
Patrick Van Aanholt – 7
A lot better from Van Aanholt today, who has had a difficult time of it as late. He had some very smart dribbling runs going forward and was a real threat. The former Chelsea man wasn’t too bad defensively either for a change!
Yann M’Vila – 8
I would have gave M’Vila man of the match but at this rate he will be getting the award every game! The French international was at the heart of everything positive Sunderland did today, with his superb timing of a challenge and vision with his passing.
Jordi Gomez – 5
A surprising name on the team sheet given the Spaniard’s lengthy absence. Gomez did OK but lacks the quality to gain a regular place in a heavily contested Sunderland midfield. His passing was decent today, but he was caught on the ball too many times and was off the pace.
Ola Toivonen – 7
The Swede was again very good today on his home debut for the club. He is a real handful in the air and offers Sunderland something going forward in midfield that we haven’t seen before. He will improve as his fitness increases and should be an important player this season.
Fabio Borini – 6
Not the debut Borini had in mind but he was full of running and passion as always, and linked up well with his new teammates.
Jermain Defoe – 6
Missed the games biggest chance in what was a mixed afternoon for Defoe against his former club. He showed that he can play down the middle alone and was a handful in the first half, but a striker of his ability must bury his chance when he was one-on-one with Hugo Lloris.
Jeremain Lens – 6
A frustrating game for Lens, where nothing really came off for the former PSV man.
Substitutes:
Lee Cattermole – 3
Cost Sunderland the game AGAIN when he failed to track the run of Mason for the goal. Cattermole has managed to play his way from first choice Sunderland midfielder to possibly the last choice, in what has been a very very poor start to the season for the former Wigan man.
Jack Rodwell – 5
Slightly at fault for the Spurs goal but he did hit the bar with a decent shot as Sunderland searched for an equalizer.
Duncan Watmore – 5
Didn’t really happen for Watmore today. Advocaat’s substitutes didn’t work today and possibly cost us the game as the teams shape was lost.
