Sunderland saw their four-game unbeaten run in the Championship brought to an end by Swansea City at the Stadium of Light. Luke O'Nien was shown a straight red card in the first half for a poor challenge on Oli Cooper, which left the Black Cats to play for more than 70 minutes shorthanded.
Joel Piroe put the Swans in front just after half-time, before Dan Neil levelled things up midway through the second period. But Liam Cullen restored the visitors' lead just minutes later, and then Cooper gave Swansea breathing space when he gave them a two-goal cushion 12 minutes from time.
Sunderland slipped to tenth in the table, three points outside the play-off spots. Swansea climbed to 11th, and are now level on points with the Wearsiders.
READ MORE: Ten-man Sunderland slip to defeat against Swansea City after Luke O'Nien's red card
Here's how our Sunderland AFC writer James Hunter rated the players.
Anthony Patterson 7
Made several good stops and could do little about the goals
Trai Hume 7
Started off at right-back before switching to the left, and did well in both positions
Dan Ballard 6
Strong at the heart of defence
Luke O'Nien 5
Can have no complaints over his red card for a late, rash, tackle, which left his team a man down for 70 minutes
Lynden Gooch 7
Got forward whenever he could and put in some good crosses
Corry Evans 7
Back in the side and brought some assurance in the middle of the park
Dan Neil 7
Scored a good goal to put Sunderland back on level terms midway through the second half
Patrick Roberts 6
Went close with a free-kick before he was sacrificed following O'Nien's red card
Amad 6
Little opportunity to shine going forward once Sunderland had been reduced to ten men
Jack Clarke 7
Always a threat when he picked up the ball on the left and ran at defenders
Ross Stewart 6
Worked hard up front but was given no protection by the referee
Subs
Danny Batth 6
For Roberts 22mins. Back from injury and provided the assist for Neil, but was unlucky with the ricochet for Swansea's second goal
Abdoullah Ba N/A
For Amad 83mins.
Edouard Michut N/A
For Evans 83mins.
Jewison Bennette N/A
For Clarke 83mins.
Leon Dajaku N/A
For Stewart 83mins.
Not used: Bass, Wright
Rate the players
You've read James Hunter's ratings, now it's your turn. Score the Black Cats players out of 10 and we'll compile the average score.
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