Sunderland 1 Sheffield Wednesday 0 - player ratings

They kept the Black Cats at arm's length in the first half until Ross Stewart ended it by pouncing on a Sam Hutchinson kick-off to score the only goal of the game.

Bailey Peacock-Farrell – could be forgiven for being unable to stop the goal but an error in the 89th minute was nearly costly 5

Jordan Storey – defended solidly when his team was up against it 7

Harlee Dean – like Storey, he made a heroic block in the first half 7

Sam Hutchinson – good apart from his error - but unfortunately that slip-up was all-important 6

Liam Palmer – unable to provide much attacking thrust from wing-back 6

George Byers – substituted in the search for more energy 5

Massimo Luongo – was overworked by Alex Pritchard and Patrick Roberts but dealing with the players between the lines is his primary responsibility 5

Marvin Johnson – failed to have much impact 5

Barry Bannan – might have played before he was ready but with such expectations on him, it is always disappointing when he fails to hit his own high standards 5ee Gregory – energetic but too isolated 6

Saido Berahino – turns out aimlessly lumping the ball at a striker who is not a targetman is not that great a strategy 6

Substitutes:

Josh Windass (for Berahino, 56) – ran the channels but unable to turn the tide 5

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (for Byers, 88) – N/A

Not used: Wildsmith, Hunt, Dunkley, Dele-Bashiru, Mendez-Laing, Paterson.