Sunderland gave away a 1-0 lead, and picked up a point on their return to the Championship with a 1-1 draw against Coventry. Here's how the lads rated out of ten...
ANTHONY PATTERSON 7/10: Didn't have any real saves to make, but strong when coming for crosses and commanded the box well. Helpless for Coventry's long-range strike.
LYNDEN GOOCH 7/10: Started really well and created Jack Clarke's goal with some great dribbling and a good cross. Like the whole team, faded in the second half and struggled to influence the game.
DANIEL BALLARD 8/10: Really strong and aggressive, didn't allow Coventry's striker a sniff all game. Tidy in possession too and rarely gave it away.
DANNY BATTH 7/10: His lack of pace was caught out at times, but generally pretty strong and organised the defence well.
DENNIS CIRKIN 6/10: Beaten pretty easily down the flank, and poor in possession. Some decent moments but he was helped out massively by Jack Clarke.
CORRY EVANS 5/10: Started well but dropped off quickly, as our midfield was overran time and time again. Picked up a daft booking for diving into a tackle, and Coventry's pressing meant he couldn't get his foot on the ball and play the way he wanted.
DAN NEIL 5/10: Good dribbling in patches but didn't contribute a whole lot defensively. One hairy moment where he was tackled on the edge of the box, where we were extremely lucky not to concede.
ELLIOT EMBLETON 6/10: Another player who struggled to find any space or time on the ball. Worked hard but couldn't make an impact, before being brought off for Luke O'Nien in the second half.
ALEX PRITCHARD 6/10: Tried to create things but a lot of his teammates didn't seem to be on the same wavelength as Pritchard.
JACK CLARKE 8/10: Scored a good goal early on, and was a good attacking outlet because of his pace. But what was more impressive was his defending - worked extremely hard and almost played as a second left back next to Cirkin at times.
ROSS STEWART 6/10: Did all the dog work but didn't reap the rewards today. Had to drop very deep to get involved with play. Had one big chance that forced a great save from the edge of the box.
SUBS:
LUKE O'NIEN 6/10: Came on to add some defensive nous into the midfield, but should have dealt with Coventry's goal a bit better.
PATRICK ROBERTS 6/10: Looked bright but couldn't find the winner after his late introduction.
