Joe Cowan: 7/10
Really steady at the back, didn’t have to work particularly hard but always looked very comfortable.
Rhys Walsh: 6/10
Defended OK and got forward when he could but a little sloppy in possession. Picked up a knock in the first half and went off at half time.
Finlay Holcroft: 8/10
Really strong at the back, although Sunderland were by far the better team, the home side did have a couple of spells of pressure and Holcroft held up great.
Ben Kindon: 8/10
Like his centre back partner Holcroft, Kindon threw himself at everything when Brighton had their spells
of pressure.
Bayley Hester: 7/10
Didn’t get forward as much as usual but tried hard at left back and didn’t give Brighton much to work with.
Liam Hunt: 7/10
Kept it simple in midfield and protected the back four, allowing Jones to get forward constantly.
Jaydon Jones (C): 8/10
Got an assist following a lovely run forward and a first time ball into the path of Geragusian, had plenty of opportunities to get forward and caused Brighton problems with the space he was finding.
Felix Scott: 6/10
Didn’t see much of the ball but did play a lovely weighted ball for Jones in the build up to the opening goal.
Tom Proctor: 7/10
Linked up play well behind Geragusian, played a great through ball to the striker but he was stopped by a fantastic last gasp sliding tackle. Fired a chance over himself after a neat swivel from a loose ball in the box.
Jack Whittaker: 7/10
Used the ball really well down the left wing, always making himself an option and cut inside to good effect.
Finn Geragusian: 9/10
Showed good movement for his first goal, arriving at the back post to steer the ball home. Had a few other shots that troubled the goalkeeper but his general play was excellent today.
Substitutes
Charlie Dinsdale: 7/10
Gave us more attacking impetus following his arrival, got an assist after he burst onto a poor pass in the opposition box and picked out Neill for the second goal.
Alex Lienard: 7/10
Made his u21 debut and looked the part at centre back, made an important back heel clearance from a dangerous cross midway through the second half with the score still level.
Elias Lenz: 7/10
Helped us keep the ball when he came on, was very calm and reliable in possession.
Marcus Neill: 7/10
Got on the end of Dinsdale’s cross to wrap up the win.
Man of the Match: Finn Geragusian
Made a really good back post run for his goal, which allowed him to tap in Jones’ cross, tested the goalkeeper on a few other occasions too. His general play today was excellent, despite being up against a vastly experienced central defender who played against Sunderland during our League One days, Ben Barclay, and Geragusian caused him no end of problems with his pace and strength.
