SUNDERLAND (4-3-3):
7 Patterson: Bristol City had 27 shots but only seven on target. Patterson was calm and solid in goal.
6 Hume: Lasted just seven minutes before he was harshly sent off after Nahki Wells hit the deck.
9 Mepham: Celebrated one brilliant block in the six-yard box just after half-time. Didn’t deserve to be on the losing side.
8 O’Nien: Showed his versality by moving to right-back after Hume red card and played his part in brilliant defensive display, even in defeat.
8 Hjelde: Stood up to the challenge and defended superbly. Cleared one off the line.
9 Neil: Immense display from the captain, who dropped into the defence after the red card. Led by example.
6 Rigg: Wasn’t at his best on the ball but a tireless midfield effort out of possession.
7 Le Fee: Frustrated to not be able to show his class in central role but showed his willingness to do the hard yards. Disciplined in front of the defence and made some crucial interceptions.
6 Roberts: Difficult for the winger to get into the game with Sunderland spending so much time defending their own goal. Helped protect O’Nien.
5 Watson: Impossible to make an impact going forward but far too sloppy in possession in the second half when Sunderland needed to relieve some pressure.
9 Mayenda: Goal of the season contender with the opener. Caused Bristol City no end of problems throughout. Surely now in pole position to be first choice striker in play-offs.
Substitutes:
6 Samed (for Le Fee, 60): Difficult game to come into with Bristol City so dominant.
6 Bellingham (for Rigg, 60): Good to have the midfielder back in action after short absence.
6 Isidor (for Roberts, 60): Held the ball up but Sunderland not as much of a threat on counter after Bristol City second goal.
Browne (for Mayenda, 77): N/A
Anderson (for Hjelde, 82):
Subs not used: Moore, Aleksic, Jones, Middlemas
BRISTOL CITY: O’Leary 7, Vyner 7, Dickie 8, Pring 7, Tanner 6 (Hirakawa, 46), Knight 7, Williams 7 (Twine, 71), McCrorie 8 (Roberts, 92), Bird 7 (Mehmeti, 71), Earthy 8 (McGuane, 81) , Wells 7
SUBS NOT USED: Bajic, Morrison, Bell, Armstrong
MAN OF THE MATCH: Mayenda. Harsh on Neil and Mepham but this was a statement performance from Mayenda.
