Sunderland 2-1 Rotherham United - Player ratings as Bellingham shines

How the players rated after an excellent second half showing earned Sunderland deserved win over Rotherham United.

Rob Cairns | Aug 21, 2023

Sunderland 2-1 Rotherham United - Player ratings as Bellingham shines /

Patterson - Could do little to prevent Rotherham's opener, when Odoffin found himself in oceans of space in the box. Had very little to do otherwise, as has largely been the case in the previous two games. 6

Hume - Battled hard and constantly looked to get forward. It will be interesting to see, longer term where he ends up playing. His skillset makes me think he's more of a natural midfielder or centre-half than a full-back. 7

Ballard - A typically physical and dominant performance for the most part. He was spun at one point and if we'd been playing a better team it could have cost us. His aggression is excellent but he just needs to pick and choose his moments to step in more wisely at times. 7

O'Nien - When facing a team like Rotherham who look to get behind the ball, it's telling that O'Nien receives the ball so often. His two-footedness, and accurate progressive passing is integral to how we play when we're dominating the ball. The perception that he's a midfielder playing out of position seems bizarre. Surely last season proved that he's most adept in defence and is a worthy starter. 7

Cirkin - Got needlessly booked early on. Other than that, he did well, getting forward to give Clarke options He absolutely has the ability to take his game to the next level, and I'm hoping he does that this season. 7

Neil - Superb. Composed and energetic. In a drab first half display, he was looking to pass through the lines. As one of our five central midfielders, he looked to run behind Rotherham, as was seen as he nodded back to Jobe to equalise. He barely gave the ball away and distributed cleverly throughout. A prime example of a young player who has grown more rounded under our coaches. 9

Ekwah - Classy and commanding when the ball is on the floor, but still looks a little headless when there's a bouncing ball in the middle of the pitch. Generally very good though. 7

Jobe - Who needs centre-forwards when you have a 17 year-old midfielder yet to score a goal in mens football? The match-winner was excellent throughout. Tenacious, Like his brother, he plays with a maturity far beyond his years. It's a testament to the monumental progress we've made as a club under Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Kristjaan Speakman that we managed to get him. 10

Roberts - Given less opportunity to run with the ball than usual against Rotherham's low block. He still had his usual moments of brilliance and grafted hard in a well-fought win. 7

Clarke - Like Roberts, he wasn't able to create real goalscoring opportunities. He worked his socks off though, and the amount of men opposition teams require to stop him always creates space in other areas of the pitch. Good performance. 7

Dack - Looked a little off the pace and unfit in the first half, when playing as a sort of false nine it seemed. He came deeper at about the half hour mark, and started getting involved more. Picked out Jobe excellently for the winner but was generally hit and miss. 6

SUBS

Pritchard - Came on and added his typical diligence and quality. If this is to be one of his last games for the club, he's represented himself superbly, and has been a pivotal figure in our resurrection. 6

Hemir - Flashed just wide seconds after coming on with a well-struck shot. Worked hard but wasn't able to hold up the ball brilliantly after that. Clearly Mowbray and his staff don't think he's ready yet to start at this level. That's fine. Very much one for the future. 6

Gooch - Made himself busy as usual. 6

Man of the Match - Jobe Bellingham - Two well-taken goals capped off an otherwise excellent performance. He's a different type of player to Amad of course, but so far he's played the role of advanced midfielder excellently.

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