RATINGS V TORREENSE

Sunderland made harder work than many thought of getting three points away to second tier Portuguese outfit Torreense, being forced to come from behind and wait until the dying moments of the game to ensure it was two wins from two in the Europa League thus far. A wonder striker in the first half from the hosts got the evening started but first Sunderland goals from DR Congo midfielders Jules Ahoka and Noah Sadiki turned the game on its head.

ROBIN ROEFS: 6/10

Had nothing of note to do all evening. Obviously, zero chance with the goal.

TRAI HUME: 5.5/10

A few decent crosses that I think the players in the box should have tried harder to get to. Got booked completely needlessly for sarcastically clapping the ref.

LUKE O’NIEN: 5.5/10

Didn’t look comfortable a few times in the first half but improved following the break.

OMAR ALDERETE: 5/10

Kept giving away fouls in the opposition box and missed a really good chance in the second half. Not sure why he was the one to take the free kick when Nilson Angulo has already scored one from a similar distance this season.

DAYANN METHALIE: 5.5/10

An uneventful, fairly average 60 minutes from him.

JULES AHOKA: 6.5/10

Atoned for some poor defending for the opening goal by scoring a really well-placed header to equalise.

NOAH SADIKI: 7/10

Great to see him finally get a Sunderland goal. Had a few decent moments going forward other than that too.

NILSON ANGULO: 5.5/10

Came very close to scoring but was denied by a fantastic save.

CHRIS RIGG: 6/10

Better than most of him teammates in the first half and much better in the second.

MALICK FOFANA: 5/10

Needs to get it into the box, or dribble into it, sooner.

TIMUR TUTEROV: 6.5/10

Really unlucky not to have a first Sunderland goal. If that’s the standard for ruling out goals now I’m surprised anyone is allowed to score ever.

SUBS:

ENZO LE FEE: 6.5/10

A wonderful bit of work for the winner, dinking it to Granit Xhaka.

NORDI MUKIELE: 7.5/10

Did really, really well with the cross for Ahoka’s goal, turning his man.

REINILDO: 6.5/10

A bit quieter than his other fellow substitutes but we played better with him on.

GRANIT XHAKA: 8/10

Dictated the play after coming on and got the assist for Sadiki’s winner.

MANAGER RATING: 6.5/10

Probably underestimated our opponents a bit but the players on the pitch should still have been able to get the job done without having to rely on subs. Made the right changes though.