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James Hunter

Sunderland player ratings as Jack Clarke and Anthony Patterson write the headlines against QPR

Jack Clarke scored twice as Sunderland beat QPR at Loftus Road to move into the play-off spots. Luke O'Nien's first-half goal set the Black Cats on their way to victory.

And Anthony Patterson saved Ilias Chair's penalty just after the hour to preserve Sunderland's lead. On-loan Leeds United man Joe Gelhardt hit the crossbar, but Clarke killed the game off in the final ten minutes when he doubled Sunderland's lead, and then he added his second - and his team's third - in injury time.

With Millwall losing at Coventry City, and Burnley scoring a 95th minute equaliser against Watford, Sunderland's win was enough to lift Tony Mowbray's men to fifth place in the Championship table. For QPR, the pressure continues to grow on boss Neil Critchley as his side's winless streak extended to ten games in all competitions.

READ MORE: Sunderland climb into play-off spots as Jack Clarke scores twice in comprehensive win at QPR

Here's how our Sunderland AFC writer James Hunter rated the players.

Anthony Patterson 8

Made a brilliant penalty save when it was still 1-0, and kept a second successive clean sheet

Trai Hume 7

Has been so consistent since taking over at right-back

Dan Ballard 7

Excellent in defence, and his header forced a scruffy save from Dieng which led to O'Nien's opener

Danny Batth 8

Outstanding in central defence alongside Ballard, he won pretty much every header

Aji Alese 6

A decent performance at left-back, but he did give away the penalty for a handball

Luke O'Nien 7

A solid game in central midfield and scored the goal which set Sunderland on their way

Alex Pritchard 7

His first start since the turn of the year and he impressed before tiring in the second half

Abdoullah Ba 7

Caused QPR problems whenever he advanced down the left

Patrick Roberts 7

Always a threat whenever he picks up the ball in and around the opposition penalty area

Joe Gelhardt 7

Worked hard up front and only the crossbar denied him his first goal in red and white

Jack Clarke 9

Tore QPR to shreds at times, and fully deserved his two goals

Subs

Amad 7

For Ba 63mins. Had a chance to score late on, but Dieng saved in a one-on-one situation

Dan Neil 7

For Pritchard 69mins. Provided the assist for Clarke's second goal

Pierre Ekwah N/A

For Gelhardt 81mins.

Dennis Cirkin N/A

For Alese 81mins.

Not used: Bass, Bennette, Lihadji

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