Ellis Simms scored twice on his Sunderland debut to help the Black Cats earn their first win of the Championship season. The on-loan Everton man put Alex Neil's team ahead inside five minutes against Bristol City at Ashton Gate, but that lead only lasted a matter of minutes before Andreas Weimann levelled.
And early in the second half Chris Martin completed the turnaround when he put the Robins in front, only for Simms to equalise almost immediately. The winning goal came with just under 20 minutes remaining, as Ross Stewart opened his account for the season.
The Black Cats are now unbeaten in two games since returning to the second tier, having drawn at home to Coventry City on the opening weekend, and have four points on the board.
READ MORE: Bristol City 2-3 Sunderland match report as debutant Ellis Simms scores twice in vital win
Here's how our Sunderland AFC writer James Hunter rated the players.
Anthony Patterson 7
No chance with the goals and made some important saves in the second half
Daniel Ballard 7
Strong throughout and made a vital block to deny Atkinson what looked like a certain goal
Danny Batth 6
Did OK in the middle of the back three
Dennis Cirkin 6
A decent showing on the left side of that three-man back line
Lynden Gooch 6
Appealed in vain for offside when Weimann scored. Got better as the game wore on
Corry Evans 8
Excellent in the middle of midfield, he made his experience count
Dan Neil 7
Worked hard and made some probing passes
Alex Pritchard 7
Provided the assist for Stewart's winning goal
Jack Clarke 7
A real threat down the left, particularly in the second half
Ellis Simms 9
An outstanding debut, scoring two goals and only a wonder-save denied him a hat-trick
Ross Stewart 7
Linked up well with Simms and scored the all-important winning goal
Subs
Elliot Embleton N/A
For Pritchard 81mins
Aji Alese N/A
For Clarke 87mins
Leon Dajaku N/A
For Simms 90+1mins
Not used: Bass, Roberts, O'Nien, Wright
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