Sunderland came from behind to beat Blackburn Rovers at the Stadium of Light in the big Boxing Day game. The Black Cats gave themselves work to do after they fell behind inside the opening 20 minutes when Ross Stewart scored an unfortunate own-goal.
But Stewart wasted no time in making amends, winning a penalty just two minutes later which the Scotland international also converted. Sunderland were the better team throughout against Blackburn, but as the game entered injury-time it looked like they would have to settle for a point.
That was until Ellis Simms, who had only entered the action as a substitute ten minutes earlier, scored in the 91st minute to send the 43,000-strong crowd home happy. The win pushed Sunderland up to seventh place in the table, just a single point outside the top six, although that was before the bulk of this afternoon's Championship programme kicked off.
READ MORE: Ellis Simms scores dramatic late winner as Sunderland come from behind against Blackburn Rovers
Here's how our Sunderland AFC writer James Hunter rated the players.
Anthony Patterson 7
Not many saves to make, but was solid when he was called upon
Lynden Gooch 7
Caused Blackburn problems until he limped off with a hamstring problem
Dan Ballard 8
Excellent on his first start since August, made important tackles and provided the assist for Simms
Luke O'Nien 7
Hardly put a foot wrong
Dennis Cirkin 6
Fought a running battle with Hedges and stood up to it well, before going off injured soon after half-time
Corry Evans 7
Dictated the play in the middle of the park against his former club
Dan Neil 7
Has looked out of sorts of late, but this was a return to form for the youngster
Patrick Roberts 7
Tricky footwork opened up the Blackburn defence several times
Amad 8
Worked incredibly hard, and meant Blackburn could never relax when he was on the ball
Jack Clarke 6
A solid performance out on the left flank
Ross Stewart 8
Made up for his unluckly og by converting the penalty, and was excellent all afternoon on his first start since August
Subs
Trai Hume 6
For Cirkin 51mins. Picked up where Cirkin left off
Bailey Wright N/A
For Gooch 80mins.
Ellis Simms N/A
For Roberts 80mins.
Not used: Bass, Matete, Ba, Michut
READ MORE:
- Sunderland prepared to listen to loan offers for fringe players next month, says Tony Mowbray
- Sunderland's tale of triumph over adversity and 'what ifs'
- Tony Mowbray confident Amad will see out his season-long loan at Sunderland
- Elliot Embleton could return for Sunderland before the end of the season
- Tony Mowbray on Sunderland's mixed fortunes as injuries continue to hamper side
