PLAYER RATINGS: AZ ALKMAAR (EL)

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Sunderland won their first game of the Europa League campaign, narrowly beating Eredivisie outfit AZ Alkmaar by a goal to nil at the Stadium of Light. A second half Enzo Le Fee penalty proved the difference but it could have been more and probably should have been. The away side also weren’t far off a few times either.

ROBIN ROEFS: 7.5/10

A bit slow playing it out from the back but made a couple of good saves, the one he made with about 10 minutes left was particularly good.

NORDI MUKIELE: 8/10

Was all over their box and made a number of decent runs, arguably could have done better with his chances but defended well. Helped create loads of opportunities

KEVIN DANSO: 7.5/10

Nearly scored a wonderful goal in the first half and was good defensively, could have done better with a chance towards half time.

OMAR ALDERETE: 7.5/10

Played very well in the first half but was forced off injured, I really hope it’s nothing serious. Had a close range effort blocked in the 15th minute.

REINILDO: 7.5/10

Didn’t contribute a lot going forward but did his job at the back effectively.

GRANIT XHAKA: 8/10

Dictated the play in the middle and helped slow the game down when needed.

NOAH SADIKI: 7.5/10

Grew into the game definitely, had a more difficult first half than second. Played the ball into Le Fee for the penalty after a good run.

TRAI HUME: 7.5/10

Forced a save at one point but could have been more accurate with a second half header, he wasn’t the only one though. He helped us defend a few times too.

ENZO LE FEE: 9/10

Had that dodgy moment in the first few minutes but this woke him up and he was brilliant afterwards. Had a couple of decent chances in the first half, nearly set Wilson Isidor up and then won a penalty and scored it.

MALICK FOFANA: 6.5/10

Found loads of space but was never really given the ball, maybe missed one or two chances to run forward but his teammates need to find him more often.

WILSON ISIDOR: 6/10

Could have made more of an effort to get onto a ball from Le Fee and only managed to get one shot away all night.

SUBS:

DAN BALLARD: 7/10

Came on for Alderete and did enough to maintain the clean sheet.

THOMAS MEUNIER: 7/10

Came on for Hume and we were no worse or better after the swap.

BRIAN BROBBEY: 6/10

Worked hard to get himself some shooting chances but really should have scored.

NILSON ANGULO: 5.5/10

A frustrating 25 minutes or so, should have had the ball in the back of the net even more so than Brobbey.

CHRIS RIGG: 6/10