PLAYER RATINGS: FOREST

Sunderland won away for the first time this season, defeating Nottingham Forest 1-0. Omar Alderete’s first goal for the Lads was the difference in a game where we were under pressure for much of the 90.

ROBIN ROEFS: 10/10

Roefs, again, made saves he had no right to make and refused to crumble under the weight of numerous crosses and corners.

TRAI HUME: 7/10

Struggled at times in the first half but had an improved second.

NORDI MUKIELE: 7.5/10

Had one or two dodgy moments in the first half, a bit like Hume, but was very good after the break.

OMAR ALDERETE: 9.5/10

Scored the winning goal with a nice bit of aggression and was brilliant defensively.

ARTHUR MASUAKU: 7/10

Both full backs struggled prior to the interval, struggled to deal with their winger. He looked a lot better in the concluding half.

GRANIT XHAKA: 8/10

Got the assist for the goal with a well taken free kick. His set pieces looked dangerous and he was solid in the middle of the park.

NOAH SADIKI: 9/10

Won a plethora of fouls, ran his socks off and technically very good. Very few things to pick out as wrong in that performance.

CHEMSDINE TALBI: 7.5/10

Lacked any end product but was effective down his side of the pitch. He was giving their defender’s a lot of trouble, goal contributions will come from him.

CHRIS RIGG: 6.5/10

Rigg was alright, I didn’t notice him as much as I did against Aston Villa though. Gave the ball away in a dangerous position at one point.

ENZO LE FEE: 7/10

Effective during most of his time on the pitch and did well after being moved into a different position following some substitutes.

WILSON ISIDOR: 7/10

Came close early on and occupied their defenders often with some good off the ball work.

SUBS:

LUTSHAREL GEERTRUIDA: 7/10

Almost put the game to bed in stoppage time after bursting into the box and coped well with the Forest barrage in search of an equaliser, could have closed down more efficiently a couple of times perhaps however.

BERTRAND TRAORE: 7/10

Forced a save from their goalkeeper and did well to run forward out wide to occupy their players and relieve the pressure a few times.

DAN BALLARD: 7.5/10

Almost scored from a corner and I didn’t notice anything wrong with his defensive work.

BRIAN BROBBEY: N/A

Looked positive but made just five touches.

SIMON ADINGRA: N/A

Once again, did well but only made five touches in his limited minutes.