Sunderland player ratings

Hart Will be disappointed to concede his first goal of the season. It's hard to blame goalkeepers for penalties scored against him but he guessed where Darren Bent was shooting and will be frustrated that the ball went under his body. Before that point he made a few decent saves and one notable punch. 6

Richards All the good work of his season start felt undone by his needless rugby tackle on Bent, conceding the penalty that lost the game. It was a brainless decision and perhaps the most perfect example yet of how he prevents himself from being as good as he could be. Up until that point he was passable, although he failed to make the most of some good attacking positions. 4

Kolo Touré Perhaps not quite as good as in recent games. Had a very easy first half but we had to bear the storm in the second half, and Kolo won none of four attempted tackles in our half. That said, we defended well enough to hold Sunderland off until Richards' final intervention. 6

Kompany Probably played well enough to deserve a point. When we were bombarded he was always in place; making seven successful interceptions. Went long with his passes a bit more than I like him to. 6

Lescott Defensively solid but his delivery into the box was poor. I don't think he's as good a left back as Pablo Zabaleta, but I'd rather see Zabaleta replace Richards based on this match. 6

de Jong His passing was generally good (27/28) but I think he possibly could have done more in the midfield battle in the second half: Lee Cattermole was just asking to be taught a lesson in respect. 6

A. Johnson Nothing like the impact he had in this fixture last season. Keiran Richardson had a near perfect game at left back, and Johnson didn't get past him once. Replaced with nine minutes left but in retrospect this could have been done thirty minutes sooner. 5

Yaya Touré He looks to be getting closer to the dynamic box to box midfielder (note: not a defensive midfielder) that we had needed. It was his bounding run down the middle that set up Tévez's famous miss. Had a chance or two of his own, including one at the back post from a corner where he really ought to have done better. Passing not quite as good as previous games (33/42). 6

Barry A good and lively first half, building on his good work last Monday. He did not get forward as much as he did then but kept the ball moving well, misplacing just one of 46 attempted passes. Struggled a bit with the pace of the game in the second half. Moved to left back for the last 15 minutes. 5

Milner Energetic and direct. His crosses into the box might not have come off but his purposes were good. I think he might move central against Blackburn next up so as to allow David Silva in the side. 6

Tévez For the most part he did his job well enough, dropping deep, turning and running at the Sunderland defence. He caused a few problems but did not quite have the invention to wrestle those openings into full chances, as he does when on his game. But we can't assess his performance without the miss heard 'round the world: which was just shocking. 5

Subs:

Adebayor Could have scored with a flick but for a good Mignolet save. 5

Silva Too late to mark

Jô Too late to mark