Cardiff 0-1 Sunderland: Player Ratings as Dennis Cirkin returns with a goal

Sunderland showed they are not yet on the beach with an authoritative win over relegation-threatened Cardiff. Here are your player ratings.

Rob Cairns | Apr 10, 2023

Cardiff 0-1 Sunderland: Player Ratings as Dennis Cirkin returns with a goal /

Sunderland got back to winning ways against a frankly appallingly bad Cardiff side to keep alive their play-offs hopes.

Dennis Cirkin grabbed the only goal on his return to the side, although Sunderland really should have scored more for their dominance.

The win the leaves Tony Mowbray's men four points short of the play-offs with a pair of home games against Birmingham and Huddersfield to come, so maybe the season isn't quite over yet.

It also sees Sunderland now mathematically safe from relegation, if anyone was worried about such things.

Here is how the players rated in the Welsh capital.

Sunderland player ratings vs Cardiff (3-4-2-1)

Anthony Patterson - Made one half-decent save at the beginning of the second half but other than that, had a pretty relaxed afternoon. 6

Trai Hume - Less eye-catching than usual, which is probably a good thing, given the more central role he played. Etete gave him a few difficulties in the second half, but he has to get huge credit for coping so well in a relatively unfamiliar position. 7

Danny Batth - His head was on the end of every aimless ball Cardiff slung in the box. Vintage Batth. 7

Dennis Cirkin - So great to have him back. Made a few bursts up the pitch which could have led to something on another day. The matchwinner - albeit it would have been hard to miss. 7

Lynden Gooch - Did solidly for the most part. Lost out a few times in physical battles, but in general played with his usual commitment. The type of player every squad needs. 6

Pierre Ekwah - Did more positive stuff than negative stuff. Has a handy knack of picking up loose balls, and can play incisive balls through the lines on his left foot. It's the simple stuff that he looks a bit shaky doing, probably due to nerves. Got the attributes to be a really good player though. 7

Dan Neil - Went relatively under the radar today, which usually means he's worked extremely hard and done the simple things well. Like Ekwah, he skied a shot over the bar from a brilliant Amad pull back. 7

Jack Clarke - He's come on leaps and bounds this season. Always offers an out ball, and stretches the pitch. Had less of the ball at his feet in the second half, but does well to win free kicks when under the cosh. Holding on to him this summer will be an achievement. 7

Alex Pritchard - Excellent free kick which led to Cirkin's opener. Linked up well all game with his team mates. His lack of speed/height can limit his threat. 7

Abdoullah Ba - Gave the ball away quite a lot. Clearly a very talented player, but gets a slightly easy ride for his lack of substance. 6

Amad Diallo - Absolutely, totally brilliant. From the first moment to the last, he showed stunning quality, composure and decision making. He didn't get any goal involvements, so this performance could go under the radar, but to my mind, it's one of the very best in a Sunderland shirt this season. Giving him a few games off seems to have been the right decision as he's looked back to his very best in the last couple of games. 9

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Edouard Michut - Worked hard and made some excellent bursts up the pitch, where, unfortunately the ball didn't find him. It's a no brainer for me to sign him in the summer. 6

Patrick Roberts - Came on and did his defensive work diligently. 6

Joe Gelhardt - Doesn't really look like a striker, but still looks more like a striker than the rest of the squad. Had a couple of clunky touches after coming on but after that he competed well. 6

Sunderland player ratings vs Cardiff (3-4-2-1)

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