Sunderland endured a horrific time on the south coast as the 10-man Black Cats lost to newly-promoted AFC Bournemouth. Two goals in 5 minutes from Callum Wilson and a wonder strike from Matt Ritchie put the game beyond the Wearsiders who are still searching for their first win of the season. The linesman in the second half wrongly disallowed a Jeremain Lens header, which may have brought the Black Cats back into the game, and a few minutes later Younes Kaboul was sent off for a second booking following a reckless hack at the dangerous Callum Wilson. Here are how the Black Cats player rated:
Costel Pantilimon – 6
The Romanian could not have done a lot with the goals but his distrubution is absoloutley shocking for a Premier League goalkeeper.
Billy Jones – 4
Jones was back to his usual awful self. Booked in the first half and offered nothing going forward or defensively.
Younes Kaboul – 3
Without John O’Shea alongside him in defence, Younes Kaboul turns from Stevie Gerrard to Stevie Ritchie (the lad from X Factor last year). He was sent-off for his troubles, but to be honest he played just as good when he wasn’t on the field.
Sebastian Coates – 3
Awful player, awful defender, booked in the first half. Not a lot to say about Coates. He just isn’t very good at all.
Patrick Van Aanholt – 5
The best of the defence, which says it all really. A few nice dribbling runs but in truth he was poor, just not as poor as the rest of the defence.
Jordi Gomez – 4
Yes Gomez was playing today. He somehow kept his starting spot but didnt an awful lot, again. The Spaniard had a decent free-kick saved but was swapped at half time for Jack Rodwell.
Yann M’Vila – 6
M’Vila was Sunderland’s best player again but it was a poor perfromance from him given his high standards.
Ola Toivonen – 5
The Swede had a header saved and made a few clearances at the other end, but he didn’t get into the game at all. He was another player who was booked too.
Jeremain Lens – 6
Lens had a goal ruled out for offside when he was clearly onside and that really stopped SAFC’s chances. Lens did okay but again, not the best day at the office.
Fabio Borini – 6
A very good effort went narrowly over the bar in the second-half and the Italian always gives 100% but it didnt work out for Borini today who was booked for his troubles.
Jermain Defoe – 4
Missed two great chances and was an all round dissappointment today.
Substitutes:
Jack Rodwell – 5
Brought on at half-time but didnt offer a lot. Passing was wayward and tackling was reckless but he offered a little more than Gomez.
Steven Fletcher – 5
Didn’t do anything. Not even a little bit.
Adam Johnson – 5
Looked off the pace and didn’t make the desired impact on his return from injury.
