Andy’s Player Ratings: Sunderland 0-1 Sporting Lisbon

Sunderland v Sporting CP - Pre-Season Friendly — Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images

Blondy Nna Noukeu: 6/10

Got caught in no man’s land for the opener but was comfortable with the ball at his feet and his only real save of note was when he tipped a spinning ball just wide midway through the second half.

Trai Hume: 6/10

Got forward well to combine with Diarra and Talbi, getting in a couple of shots at goal but didn’t look quite at it defensively and gave a bit too much room to his man out wide, with a few unopposed crosses coming in.

Dan Ballard (C): 7/10

Got caught by a clever pass from Sporting that broke the offside trap but otherwise did

a great job against the physical Harder.

Jenson Seelt: 8/10

Really looked the part tonight, was very good defensively but notably excellent on the ball. Used his feet well to get out of trouble on one occasion and then played a great long ball for Mayenda to run onto.

Harrison Jones: 8/10

Naturally a number 10 but was up against one of the more dangerous wingers around in Quenda but really put in a shift to keep him out of the game. Was quick to get out to the winger and didn’t allow him the space to cause problems.

Noah Sadiki: 7/10

Seemed to cover every blade of grass and still find room to protect the back four. Not just a runner though, was comfortable on the ball and played a lovely chipped pass to Diarra for his long range effort on goal.

Habib Diarra: 7/10

Like Sadiki was always on the move but played in a more advanced role and that allowed to him get in and around the Sporting box. Had one well struck effort from distance that went comfortably over the bar and another after finding space down the side, forced a near post save but probably should have gone across the box, either with a shot or to play in Mayenda.

Chemsdine Talbi: 6/10

Neat and tidy down the right for a lot of the first half but then burst into life with runs inside later in the half, one got him a left-footed effort on goal that was easily saved, then played a one-two with Hume and put in a nice ball for Mayenda to run on to.

Enzo Le Fee: 7/10

Constantly found a pocket of space to operate in and then had the vision to make something happen, put a chance on a plate for Mayenda that probably should have been buried and played in Diarra for a near post shot.

Simon Adingra: 6/10

Always dangerous when he got his defender isolated, constantly getting him past him with pace and trickery. Created the space to whip a cross in a few times but all were overhit.

Eliezer Mayenda: 7/10

Was a nuisance up top with his closing down and combined really well with his team-mates, had a few chances to score but a few were blocked and easily his best chance went wide from Le Fee’s pull back.

Substitutes

Tom Lavery: 7/10

I was impressed with Lavery at right back, did a really good job defensively and was quick to get forward to provide an option down the right.

Zak Johnson: 7/10

Solid in the centre of defence and reliable, but a bit safe, on the ball.

Nectar Triantis: 7/10

In central defence again rather than midfield like he was during his loan spell at Hibs but did a good job alongside Johnson.

Jenson Jones: 7/10

Had to work really hard against some tricky wingers but did a sterling job, tried to get forward and had one burst inside that troubled Sporting but mostly a good defensive effort.

Dan Neil (C): 6/10

Tidy on the ball and good decision making to not turn into trouble when pressed but a little safe with his passing.

Alan Browne: 7/10

Did a good job alongside Neil to keep Sporting at bay after the break and used a quick bit of skill to get away from his man on occasion, constantly looking to get us up the pitch.

Patrick Roberts: 6/10

Easily stepped away from his man but no real cutting edge and tried one too many turns at one point in the second half which gave the Portuguese champions the chance to break.

Milan Aleksic: 6/10

Was up and down the left flank all half, showing a neat turn of pace but his final ball was lacking.

Timur Tutierov: 6/10

Always a willing runner just off the main striker and did well to create a free kick on the edge of the opposition box early in the half.

Ahmed Abdullahi: 6/10

Didn’t get any chances to work with but worked hard up top on his own.

Matty Young: 6/10

A comfortable display for Young after coming on late.

Trey Ogunsuyi: 6/10

Unfortunately for Trey not much chance to make an impression.

Man of the Match: Jenson Seelt

This was a close call between Seelt and Harrison Jones but it was a very impressive display by Seelt so soon after making his playing return from a long term injury. He was very composed defensively, was classy when he was on the ball and showed he can be a genuine option this season.

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Andy’s Player Ratings: Sunderland 0-1 Sporting Lisbon — Plenty of positives in defeat

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