Granit Xhaka battles for the ball with Daizen Maeda at Portman Road (Image: Adam Davy/PA Wire)
Granit Xhaka battles for the ball with Daizen Maeda at Portman Road (Image: Adam Davy/PA Wire)
How did the players fare in Sunderland's 2-1 defeat to Ipswich Town at Portman Road?
IPSWICH (4-2-3-1):
Scherpen 6; O’Shea 7, Diop 7, Greaves 8, Davis 7; Nunez 6 (Egeli 80), Lukic 7; Fatawu 6 (McAteer 66, 6), Maeda 6 (Outtara 80), ENCISO 8 (Clarke 71); Emersonn 7 (Akpom 66, 6).
Subs (not used): Walton (gk), Furlong, Kipre, Humphreys.
SUNDERLAND (4-2-3-1):
6 Roefs: Didn’t have much of a chance with either goal, but looked shaky in possession on a couple of occasions
6 Meunier: A solid enough full debut that saw him defend resolutely and get forward when the chance was there
5 Ballard: His distribution and positioning was awry for much of the game – was part of a shaky all-round defensive display
3 O’Nien: A really rough afternoon – gave the ball away for Ipswich’s opener and was booked after committing another error in the second half
5 Reinildo: Better going forward than defending as he had some tough moments against the lively Fatawu
6 Xhaka: The usual exquisite touches were there, but he was never really able to control the game, especially in the second half
6 Sadiki: Made some purposeful breaks into the final third, but didn’t provide enough defensive cover
6 Hume: Played in an advanced role again, and linked up effectively with Meunier while providing some valuable defensive cover
6 Le Fee: Produced some nice touches at the heart of midfield, but could never quite create enough space to make a real impact
7 ANGULO: Was bright and purposeful during his hour on the field and scored with a fantastic direct free-kick
6 Brobbey: Put himself about enthusiastically enough, but his best chance was blocked in the opening five minutes
Subs:
5 Talbi (for Angulo, 59): Didn’t really threaten the Ipswich goal during his time on the pitch
4 Alderete (for O’Nien, 66): Played the ball straight to Lukic to set up Ipswich’s dramatic late winner
5 Isidor (for Brobbey, 66): Couldn’t really create an opportunity in the latter stages of the game
Diarra (for Le Fee, 80)
Rigg (for Hume, 80)
(not used): Ellborg (gk), Mukiele, Jocelin, Mundle.
Man Of The Match: JULIO ENCISO – Set up Ipswich’s opener and caused the Sunderland defence a succession of problems.