PLAYER RATINGS: NUFC

Sunderland made it seven Wear-Tyne derby wins out of the last nine by beating the Riyadh Rovers 1-0 at the Stadium of Light. Agent Nick Woltemade scored the only goal of the game to silence the SELA employees at the back of the stadium. The win moves us back up into European contention but sends them into deeper mid-table obscurity. Them lot haven't beaten us in the league since 2011, which hopefully brings an end to the them being a bigger club nonsense for a while.

ROBIN ROEFS: 9/10

Made two saves but wasn’t needed a lot today. A few wayward passes but who cares.

NORDI MUKIELE: 9/10

One of the best players on the pitch, especially in the first half. He didn’t always come away with the ball initially but tended to make a recovery afterwards.

DAN BALLARD: 10/10

Absolutely immense, bailed us out several times in the second half. He also almost scored late on in the first 45.

OMAR ALDERETE: 9/10

Sent a great ball in at one point in the second half. He did start off a bit shaky but really grew into it.

REINILDO: 10/10

Gave their defenders a nightmare all game, workmanlike and not scared of putting a foot in. Exactly the kind of player you need in a derby.

GRANIT XHAKA: 10/10

Saw so much of the ball and when off it he was always scanning the pitch to decide what to do next. Really took the initiative which is what you want from the captain.

NOAH SADIKI: 10/10

Worked his socks off and had some great moments where he showed their players up big time. Looked tired towards the end but was still everywhere all of the time.

BERTRAND TRAORE: 8.5/10

Battled for it and never shied away. He wasn’t always completely composed and seemed to rush when he needed to take his time and take his time when he needed to pick up the pace but overall he did well.

ENZO LE FEE: 8.5/10

He was always involved with things, even if he didn’t come off the better of the players involved. Lots of bright moments.

CHEMSDINE TALBI: 9/10

Had lots of positive moments and was in space loads, he just wasn’t always found.

BRIAN BROBBEY: 9/10

He was treated so harshly by the referee but the ball seemed to stick to him for the first 45 minutes. Obviously, he was given a difficult job against their backline and it’s unfortunate he just couldn’t get that one moment.

SUBS:

TRAI HUME: 9/10

Came on and didn’t look out of place, also contributed going forward whilst we were under pressure.

WILSON ISIDOR: 9/10

Had one good effort, forcing a save from a very difficult angle. Created a different dynamic to Brobbey and arguably was equally effective.

ROMAINE MUNDLE: N/A

Didn’t have a chance to do a lot because we were in our own half most of the time he was on the pitch.