How did the players fare in Sunderland's 3-2 win at Middlesbrough?
MIDDLESBROUGH (4-2-3-1):
6 Travers: Made important saves from Mepham and Isidor on his Boro debut
4 Ayling: Had an extremely rough night defensively against the talented Le Fee
5 Van den Berg: Was just about the pick of the Boro defence, but still had a tough evening
4 Edmundson: Should have made a better fist of trying to block Neil’s shot and never looked secure
4 Giles: Wasn’t the attacking force of old and made a decisive late error as he stabbed into his own net
6 Morris: Lost the ball for Sunderland’s second goal, but made it up for it by setting up Boro’s equaliser
8 HACKNEY: Set up Burgzorg’s goal with a defence-splitting pass and scored with a fine low drive
7 Whittaker: Was a threat on his debut as he started on the left but finished playing infield
5 Azaz: Couldn’t get into the game and was replaced just before the hour mark
8 Burgzorg: Showed great composure to open the scoring and moved infield to good effect
5 Forss: Wasted a great chance to double Boro’s lead when he side-footed over in the first half
Subs:
Iling-Junior (for Azaz, 59), Conway (for Forss, 69)
(not used): Glover (gk), Fry, Borges, Woolston, McCabe, Barlaser, Finch.
SUNDERLAND (4-2-3-1):
6 Patterson: Saved Forss’ early header and commanded his penalty area effectively
6 Hume: Was his usual solid self on the right-hand side of Sunderland’s back four
5 Mepham: Didn’t always look comfortable against Burgzorg’s pace – had a tough night
5 O’Nien: Was given a real test by the Boro attack, but just about managed to hold his own
6 Cirkin: Did reasonably well against Whittaker, although his attacking threat was limited
7 Neil: Won the ball off Burgzorg to set up his goal and was always looking to drive his side on
6 Bellingham: Lost possession as Boro scored their second, but put in an important defensive shift
6 Roberts: Will feel he was fouled as Boro broke to open the scoring, but should have been stronger
6 Rigg: Wasn’t really a factor in the final third before he was taken off midway through the second half
9 LE FEE: Capped a brilliant midfield display with the touch and cross that led to Sunderland’s winner
8 Isidor: Displayed ice-cool nerve as he rounded Travers to score his tenth goal of the season
Subs:
Samed (for Rigg, 71), Mayenda (for Isidor, 81), Poveda (for Roberts, 88)
(not used): Moore (gk), Ballard, Hjelde, Jones, Aleksic, Ogusunyi.
Man Of The Match: ENZO LE FEE – The best player on the pitch all game, and made the difference when he crossed for the winner.
