Robin Roefs: 6/10
Made a good reflex save after Reinildo got beaten in the air but that was about it as far as saves were concerned. Typically calm with the ball at his feet.
Thomas Meunier: 5/10
Played in the “Hume role” today but thought he was very quiet, helped us out defensively but rarely in the game when we were on the ball..
Nordi Mukiele: 7/10
Really strong defensively and quick to close players down but not as much going forward as we usually see from him when he’s at right back.
Dan Ballard: 8/10
Won almost everything in the air and along with Danso, kept Igor Thiago
quiet. Had a goal extremely harshly disallowed following a good finish into the bottom corner that the goalkeeper just wasn’t getting.
Kevin Danso: 7/10
A strong debut from Danso who slotted right into the defence, aerially dominant and his long throws look more dangerous than Mukiele’s. Did get turned a little too easily a couple of times.
Reinildo: 7/10
Another good display by Reinildo, gave Brentford very little to work with down his side.
Noah Sadiki: 9/10
An extremely strong first half from Sadiki, Sangare had been getting loads of plaudits but Sadiki ran all over him and Brentford had to hook their record signing at half time. Got forward well too and had a couple of efforts quickly blocked.
Granit Xhaka (C): 7/10
A decent effort from the captain, always able to find a teammate no matter how many players are surrounding him and puts in a huge effort defensively. Was caught a bit flat footed for the first goal though.
Enzo Le Fee: 8/10
Got redemption after last season’s penalty miss here, with not only a well taken penalty to equalise but a very good all round display. Loads of effort off the ball but almost all of our best play going forward involved Le Fee making things tick. Also smashed an shot off the post in the first half.
Nilson Angulo: 7/10
Looked at it today, caused Kayode lots of problems and combined well with Reinildo and Sadiki down the left. Did some really good work in the first half that ended up with Le Fee smashed a shot against the post.
Brian Brobbey: 7/10
Didn’t get a goal but worked tireless in occupying the Brentford defence and, crucially, he had a lot more players around him today. So when he got the ball he had options and runners to work with.
Substitutes
Trai Hume: 7/10
Was much more involved than Meunier when he came on, getting stuck in with tackles and providing an option on the right.
Wilson Isidor: 7/10
Linked up with Brian Brobbey for the first time and that looked like he could be a decent option for us. Won the penalty after he was blocked from getting on the end of a Fofana cross and smashed a thunderous free kick at goal that Kelleher did well to keep out.
Malick Fofana: 7/10
A promising cameo, quickly turned his full back after coming on and floated a beautiful cross to Isidor that resulted in a penalty after the striker was fouled.
Man of the Match: Noah Sadiki
Brentford have started this season really well with their record signing Mamadou Sangare running the show so far but Noah Sadiki was just too much for him, giving Sunderland the upper hand in the first half and causing the high profile signing having to be taken off at half time. Was instrumental in us being the better team.
