Andy’s Player Ratings: Sunderland 1-0 AZ Alkmaar – European Campaign Kicks Off With A Win

Made a couple of really important saves when AZ had worked themselves chances inside the box, early on with his foot when the Dutch side were one-on-one and then late on after throwing himself at the ball following a scramble in the six yard box.

Got up and down the line all night but caused all sorts of chaos going forward in the first half. Headed a good chance just wide after the break

Another really good performance, reads the game well, making a number of good blocks and clearances around our own box. Almost scored a header when he diverted a header from a wayward Xhaka shot just wide and tested the goalkeeper with a great shot from distance.

Was very strong in the tackle while he was on and turned out of the press well a few times, seemed to pick up an injury early in the first half though and had to go off.

Didn't get forward too much tonight with AZ pushing him back by having an overload but he defended really well down the left.

Was particularly good in the first half, dictating play from deep and pinging balls over the AZ press. Was more difficult for him in the second though, with the visitors pushing up and playing around him with quick movement.

Had a difficult job tonight, with the movement of the AZ players but covered so much ground in getting in and around them to steal the ball back.

Had some good chances, curling a shot wide in the first half and then having two quick-fire efforts after the break, forcing a save from the goalkeeper's legs and then heading over from the resultant corner. Was a bit quiet outside of those chances though.

Had a terrible start, giving AZ a chance on a plate with a sloppy pass but grew into the game and was instrumental in our many chances. Hit the post from an Isidor ball, got in behind from a Mukiele ball and forced a save, played a lovely ball over the top for both Brobbey and Isidor that neither could take advantage of, then won and converted the penalty.

Was good on the ball but that was either not often enough or far too deep with too many players around him.

Ran the line well tonight, used the channels well and combined with Le Fee. Span in behind and picked out Le Fee for a shot against the post and smashed a good chance wide after Le Fee flicked him in

Came on to replace Alderete and helped us see the game out, was quick to block anyone around the box.

Came on to replace Hume and then also shifted to right back once Danso went off, did a good job in both positions.

Was positive down the left but his decision making was a bit iffy. Really should have scored from the rebound in injury time.

Didn't see a lot of the ball until injury time but had a couple of chances to score, one from a clever one-two around the box with Le Fee but a defender got inbetween the two and put the ball out for a corner and then driving towards the box from the half-way line and just when it looked like he was going to burst the net, he tried to play a ball across the six-yard box.

Thought he did a good job at nipping at AZ's heels when he came on, winning the ball and then playing clever balls up to Brobbey.

Almost had a nightmare start to the game, giving the ball away to leave the visitor's away at goal but thankfully Roefs bailed him out. Was then our best player, scored the winner from the spot that he won himself, but he created so many chances for team-mates and had some good chances himself outside of the spot-kick.