Andy’s Player Ratings: Port Vale 1 – 0 Sunderland – Sloppy Sunderland Knocked Out Of Cup

Melker Ellborg: 5/10

Made a brilliant, improvised save after O’Nien’s crazy back pass and got his finger tips to the goal but couldn’t get enough on it to keep it out. Did have a couple of uncomfortable moments, one with a dodgy touch in the first half and then bringing down a striker after the break that led to a VAR check for a red card.

Luke O’Nien (C): 5/10

Made a crazy decision to play a back pass to Ellborg that the goalkeeper had to head over and that ended up leading to a goal from the corner. Didn’t look too comfortable at left back but did make a great recovery tackle in the second half when Port Vale were in on goal.

Dan Ballard: 6/10

Was first to a number of high balls and constantly out muscled the opposition to win the ball. Had a couple of headers at the other end, with one going over and one needing to be tipped over the bar.

Omar Alderete: 6/10

Like Ballard, he seemed to win everything that came his way and used the ball well, played a lovely ball over the top to Diarra in the first half that should have resulted in a goal.

Lutsharel Geertruida: 5/10

Barely got tested from right back and often slotted into midfield, but from both he was a bit too passive. Didn’t get down the line at all and was too safe with his passing.

Chris Rigg: 5/10

Really struggled to get into the game until he switched to the right wing following Talbi’s substitution. Then looked more lively, showing good touches and putting a great cross onto Angulo’s head that led to the goalkeeper having to tip the shot over the bar.

Habib Diarra: 5/10

Had a reasonable first half, with a couple of good bursts that should have resulted in a goal, first getting on the end of Alderete’s ball down the middle and then a drive down the line and his driven cross really should have had someone waiting to steer it in. Went off the boil after the break, struggled to keep the ball under control but did have a lobbed effort cleared off the line.

Enzo Le Fee: 5/10

Put a good corner onto Ballard’s header for a chance in the second half and then a cross for Mayenda that he could only flick at, which put Angulo offside. Linked up play well but often too deep. Had a Max Poweresque shot that went wildly over late on.

Chemsdine Talbi: 4/10

Had a couple of shots in the second half, one from distance that went comfortably over and one from a scramble in the box that was pretty weak despite him being well placed. Was a bit disappointing today, didn’t do too much wrong but just not direct enough.

Nilson Angulo: 6/10

Was bright all afternoon, didn’t have an amazing game but was our most dangerous player. Was always positive, even if it didn’t come off for him.

Eliezer Mayenda: 4/10

Had a header against the post right at the start of the game, really should have scored from it though. That was as good as it got for him, particularly struggled with the inconsistent pitch.

Substitutes

Wilson Isidor: 4/10

Just couldn’t get involved after coming on and his only contribution was a wayward through ball that went out of play for a goal kick.

Granit Xhaka: 5/10

Came on as we tried to get back into the game but his main contribution was a ball into the box that went comfortably over the cross bar.

Man of the Match: Nilson Angulo

Other than the two centre backs, it was only Nilson Angulo who seemed up for the game and conditions. The winger always tried to be positive, tested the goalkeeper after a one-two with Diarra in the first half and, although not everything came off, he was our only real outlet going forward.