How did the players fare as Sunderland won the League One play-off final at Wembley?


SUNDERLAND (4-2-3-1):

8 Patterson: Made a crucial second-half save from Vokes and dealt with a succession of dangerous crosses as he dominated his six-yard box

7 Gooch: Got forward to support Roberts when the opportunity allowed, and was excellent in defence preventing crosses into the box

7 Wright: Suffered one nervy moment when he misread a long ball, but was otherwise rock solid – as he has been throughout Neil’s reign

8 Batth: Was pushed all the way physically, but came out on top of his personal duel with Vokes – has proved a really important signing

7 Cirkin: Had a wobble at the start of the second half when he committed a couple of fouls, but was sharp and assured apart from that

8 Evans: Another hugely influential display as he mopped up everything in front of the back four – another player who has really impressed under Neil

7 O’Nien: Was a bundle of energy at the heart of midfield – his celebrations at the final whistle proved just how much it meant to him

8 Roberts: Carried an attacking threat all afternoon as he burst down the right-hand side and cut inside effectively

9 PRITCHARD: His creativity and vision were the key to unlocking Wycombe’s defence all afternoon – set up Stewart’s goal after cutting inside

7 Embleton: Started brightly and opened the scoring with a wonderful swerving strike, but his influence was waning by the time he was replaced on the hour

8 Stewart: Ran himself into the ground, as usual, and was able to deliver a moment of class when Sunderland needed it most, firing home to double the Black Cats’ lead


Subs:

7 Clarke (for Embleton, 60): Ensured Sunderland’s attacking threat did not wane when he came on – should probably have scored in the dying seconds

Doyle (for Pritchard, 80)

Broadhead (for Stewart, 88)

(not used): Hoffmann (gk), Matete, Neil, McGeady.


WYCOMBE (4-5-1):

Stockdale 4; McCarthy 4, Stewart 5, Tafazolli 4, Jacobson 4; McCLEARY 6, Gape 5 (Akinfenwa 75), Horgan 5 (Wing 55, 5), Scowen 6, Obita 4 (Hanlan 65, 4); Vokes 4.

Subs (not used): Dickinson (gk), Grimmer, Wheeler, Forino.


Man Of The Match: ALEX PRITCHARD – Sunderland’s chief playmaker was excellent during the semi-finals, and lifted his performance to another level in the final.