Sunderland had to settle for a goalless draw against ten-man Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium
Sunderland were left frustrated after being held by ten-man Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium. The Black Cats played for an hour with a man advantage after the Swans’ on-loan Arsenal midfielder Charlie Patino was dismissed for a second bookable offence.
But, despite dominating from start to finish, Tony Mowbray’s men failed to make their numerical advantage count as they were forced to settle for a point. Sunderland hit the woodwork three times, one of which saw Swansea’s on-loan Brighton keeper Carl Rushworth push a Patrick Roberts shot onto the post, while Jack Clarke and Abdoullah Ba both hit the crossbar.
Rushworth also made crucial stops from Clarke and Luke O’Nien. Swansea missed a golden chance of their own to snatch the lead on the stroke of half-time after O’Nien conceded a penalty for a foul on Liam Cullen, but Anthony Patterson saved Jamal Lowe’s spot-kick.
Here’s how our Sunderland AFC writer James Hunter rated the players.
Anthony Patterson 8
Made a brilliant save from Lowe’s penalty and saved one other effort from the striker in the second half, but was otherwise barely troubled
Trai Hume 7
Got forward down the right at every opportunity to support the attack
Luke O’Nien 6
Conceded the penalty and, separately, picked up his fifth booking of the season which means he will sit out next week’s game against Birmingham
Dan Ballard 7
A strong defensive performance, but he also picked up his fifth booking and will miss the game against Birmingham
Niall Huggins 7
Worked hard down the left and frequently found himself in advanced positions as Sunderland poured forward
Dan Neil 7
Used the ball well in the middle of the park and had a good shooting chance in the first half but failed to capitalise on it
Pierre Ekwah 8
Looked back to his best in central midfield and Patino decided the only way he could stop him was to foul him
Patrick Roberts 8
Much more like it from him, he opened Swansea up time and again down the right. Saw one shot pushed onto the post by Rushworth
Jobe Bellingham 7
Did OK, particularly in the first half, but looked a little leggy and went off early in the second
Jack Clarke 8
Caused all kinds of problems for Swansea down the left. Clipped the crossbar with a free-kick on the stroke of half-time
Nazariy Rusyn 7
Lively up front but should have finished the great chance that Bellingham laid on for him in the first period
Subs
Luis Hemir 6
For Rusyn 56mins. No lack of effort, but rarely looked like scoring
Alex Pritchard 7
For Bellingham 56mins. Added some extra creativity and set-piece know-how, but it was to no avail
Bradley Dack 6
For Huggins 61mins. Mowbray turned to him to find the killer pass but it didn’t come
Dennis Cirkin N/A
For Ballard 76mins.
Abdoullah Ba N/A
For Neil 79mins.
Not used: Young, Burstow, Aouchiche, Seelt
