Sunderland
Costel Pantilimon – 6: Had little to deal with throughout the game, with most shots on goal coming straight towards the goalkeeper.
Younes Kaboul – 6: Kept Zaha quiet on the right side of the field, not allowing him to break away and get good crosses in.
John O’Shea – 6: Was good on Wickham for much of the game did not let him to get into space for decent chances on goal.
Sebastian Coates – 7: Made some really key clearing headers when Palace were looking to get level late in the game and almost broke the deadlock with a header that was cleared off the line.
Sebastian Larsson – 5: A relatively quiet game with a couple of good interceptions, before he was replace by Watmore.
Billy Jones – 6: Played well on the right-side of the field, often getting across to help nullify Bolasie. Provided the assist for Defoe’s match winner.
Lee Cattermole – 6: Was key in defensive-midfield, getting across to put tackles in and intercepting passes to break up the Palace attack.
Yann M’Vila – 5: A quiet game for the midfielder. Gave away a couple of free kicks in dangerous positions that fortunately came to nothing.
Patrick Van Aanholt – 6: Combined well with Kaboul to stop Zaha having an impact like he has had in previous games, which reduced the amount of chances Palace created.
Steven Fletcher – 5: Had a disappointing game while he was on the field, unable to make an impact before being replaced by Jermain Lens.
Jermain Defoe – 8: Was the best and most consistent player on the field. Scored the winner after not giving up on a through ball that should have been dealt with by the Palace defence.
7 – Jermain Defoe has now hit seven goals in his nine starts for Sunderland in all competitions this season. Touch.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 23, 2015
Substitutes
Jeremain Lens – 5: Only really had on shot one goal after a cross from Watmore, other than that was quiet after replacing Fletcher.
Duncan Watmore – 7: Was great in getting the team going forward with some strong runs at the Palace defence after coming on for Larsson.
Danny Graham – N/A: Came on with about four minutes to go for Defoe so had no chance to make an impact.
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