Sunderland returned from the World Cup break with an emphatic 3-0 win against Millwall at the Stadium of Light. The Black Cats were not at their best in the first half, but a much-improved second half display saw them ultimately do enough to secure all three points.
Amad scored his fourth goal in six games to set the ball rolling shortly after the second half got under way, with Alex Pritchard adding the second just before the hour. And Ellis Simms scored for the second successive game to wrap things up in injury time.
The win lifted Sunderland up to tenth in the Championship table, and to within a point of the play-off spots as the season nears its halfway point. Tony Mowbray was also boosted by the return to action of Lynden Gooch, Aji Alese and - from the bench - Dennis Cirkin, after they had been missing through injury in the lead-up to the World Cup break.
READ MORE: Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray hopes for exciting second half of the season
Here's how James Hunter rated the Sunderland players.
Anthony Patterson 6
Shaky in the first half and almost cost his side a goal with a bad error, but much better in the second period
Lynden Gooch 7
His first game since picking up an injury in mid-October and did well, including providing the assist for Pritchard
Luke O'Nien 8
Excellent alongside Batth at the heart of defence, he showed real fighting spirit
Danny Batth 7
Made an important clearance just in front of the line in the first period and won lots of headers from set-pieces
Aji Alese 7
Another player returning from injury, he impressed at left-back
Corry Evans 7
His experience was vital in the middle of the park
Dan Neil 6
Not his best game, but made a brilliant goalline clearance when Sunderland were just one goal ahead
Amad 7
Scored another goal and he brings the touch of quality that gets fans out of their seats
Alex Pritchard 7
On the scoresheet and also played an important part in the build-up to Amad's opener
Jack Clarke 6
Worked hard but this was a quiet game by his standards
Ellis Simms 7
Scored for the second game in succession, and will also be credited with the assist for Amad
Subs
Elliot Embleton 7
For Pritchard 63mins. Lively when he came on
Patrick Roberts 6
For Amad 74mins. Little opportunity to make an impact
Dennis Cirkin N/A
For Clarke 80mins.
Not used: Bass, Hume, Dajaku, Ba
READ NEXT:
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- Tony Mowbray on Edouard Michut's 'mystery' injury and when he is expected to resume training
- Return of 'monster' Aji Alese is a big plus for Sunderland, says Tony Mowbray
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