Sunderland player ratings as Dan Neil stars and Trai Hume has a day to forget in Ipswich Town defeat
Out-of-sorts Sunderland made a poor start to their 2023-24 Championship campaign
Sunderland's Championship campaign got off to a sticky start as they slipped to an opening day defeat against newly-promoted Ipswich Town at the Stadium of Light. Nathan Broadhead - who spent a successful loan spell on Wearside the season before last - scored the opening goal for the Tractor Boys on the stroke of half-time.
And the former Everton frontman set up the second goal for Ipswich's summer signing George Hirst early in the second period. Sunderland were reduced to ten men when Trai Hume was sent off for a second bookable offence with a little under 20 minutes of the 90 remaining.
Dan Neil pulled a goal back inside the final five minutes, and could have salvaged a point deep into injury-time only to see his shot diverted onto the post by goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky. Defeat at home on the opening weekend will give Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray plenty of food for thought as he looks to improve on last season's sixth-placed finish.
READ MORE: Ten-man Sunderland stumble to defeat against Nathan Broadhead-inspired Ipswich Town
Here's how our Sunderland AFC writer James Hunter rated the players.
Anthony Patterson 6
One good save, didn't get near the two goals, and was almost chipped from 40 yards out
Trai Hume 4
A poor outing, capped by a needless second bookable offence which meant he saw red inside the final 20 minutes
Dan Ballard 6
Did OK at the heart of defence but it was a tough evening, particularly in the second half
Luke O'Nien 7
One brilliant goalline clearance in the first half and otherwise did pretty well
Dennis Cirkin 6
Kept Burns mostly in check, and provided the assist for Neil's goal
Dan Neil 7
Scored the late goal that gave Sunderland hope and was only denied an equaliser by the woodwork
Pierre Ekwah 6
Strong in the middle of the park
Patrick Roberts 5
A decent start but then went missing for long spells
Jobe Bellingham 6
An OK debut but nothing more. Missed a glorious chance to put Sunderland ahead in the first half
Jack Clarke 6
Saw plenty of ball down the left but there was no end product
Luis Hemir 6
Found it tough on his debut, but was given next-to-no service
Subs
Alex Pritchard 6
For Hemir 59mins. Added a bit of extra spark in the final third
Abdoullah Ba 5
For Bellingham 59mins. Didn't really affect the game
Lynden Gooch N/A
For Ekwah 87mins.
Niall Huggins N/A
For Cirkin 90+10mins.
Not used: Bishop, Rigg, Triantis, Bennette, Batth
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