Bristol City player ratings vs Sunderland: 8/10 'tireless' and 7.5/10 'ageless' in stirring 2-1 victory

Bristol City came from behind to win once again at Ashton Gate.

Cracking goals from defenders Rob Dickie and Ross McCrorie secured another vital three points for Liam Manning’s side in the chase for the play-off spots.

Manning made one change from the side that drew one apiece away at QPR six days ago. George Tanner came in for his first start since Sheffield united away in early March replacing the injured Mark Sykes who suffered a quad injury in the warm up at Loftus Road.

After only seven minutes, The visitors were dealt a road bump when defender Trai Hume was given a straight red card for a foul on Nahki Wells. There wasn't a lot of contact however with the Northern Ireland international being deemed the last man back defending.

After the red card, City began to take control of the game but despite the many half-chances and possession in and around the box they were hit on the counter by a moment of brilliance from Sunderland striker Eliezer Mayenda.

The Spaniard picked the ball up just outside his own box and was immediately greeted by Joe Williams and Rob Dickie, but Mayenda shimmied his way through the pair of them and set off into the City half with real pace and power.

He was then one on one with Zak Vyner and after faking left and right he fired the ball into the back of the net, wrong footing Max O’Leary in the process.

At half time, Manning made a change bringing off George Tanner and replacing him with Yu Hirakawa and that instantly changed the dynamic of the game.

The Robins’ front foot pressure was immense in the second half and once again after many half chances there pressure was rewarded by an unlikely source.

Rob Dickie picked the ball up 25 yards from goal and listened to the Ashton Gate crowd cry ‘SHOOT’ and when he did he fired the ball past Anthony Patterson and into the top corner of the goal in front of the raucous south stand.

After that there only looked like one winner and to nobody’s surprise it was the robins thanks to another goal by a defender and it was Ross McCrorie again.

The ball rebounded to the defender after good link up play and the Scotsman reacted quickly to fire home with his left foot and sent Ashton Gate into delirium.

After that there was no real threat to a fourth goal in the game by either side and when Referee Oliver Langford blew the final whistle all city fans' nerves were wiped away and replaced by ecstasy.

The result still leaves City in fifth place in the table and a win on Easter Monday away at relegation threatened Luton Town and a loss for middlesbrough, would confirm Bristol City as a play off team after another brilliant afternoon in BS3.

Player ratings

Max O’Leary(GK): Probably not playing at 100% fitness, The city number one played well throughout. Was quick to come out of his box and be a sweeper as Sunderland looked to utilise their pace up front. For Mayenda’s goal he couldn't do much to stop the good finish. 6.5

George Tanner: First start since early march and he had big shoes to fill replacing the shoes of the injured Mark Sykes. For the time that he was on the pitch, Tanner’s performance was a decent one as he kept possession nicely while linking up with Ross McCrorie and Joe Williams on the right hand side. 6

Shooting star

Rob Dickie: City’s shooting star started the game off well by comfortably sweeping loose balls but will be disappointed in his part for Mayenda’s goal as his slide tackle was easily dribbled past. But in the second half when City needed a goal, Dickie picked the ball up 25 yards and rifled a cracker into the top corner. After the goal it did seem that everytime he picked the ball near the position of his cracker that the Ashton Gate faithful wanted another shot from a player who is going from strength to strength under Manning. 8

Zak Vyner: Would be disappointed to have been beaten by Mayenda on the edge of the box which led to the goal. Had a great chance to give City the lead in the second half. As usual Vyner occupied the right side of City’s defense and his forward passes were constantly getting the robins forward. 7

Cam Pring: Seemingly getting more and more comfortable playing on the left side of a back three. There were times where you could see Pring wanting to make his overlapping runs that he was known for when playing left back. He did well to keep up with Mayenda and substitute Isidor. 6.5

Ross McCrorie: A really impressive up and down the pitch display from the Scot. In the first half he was playing on the right side trying to get play going with Tanner and it was a good link up. In the second half, when moved over to the left hand side it was even better. McCrorie, who promised back in January that City were promotion contenders, made Ashton Gate erupt in the second half when his rifle of a shot after a cross gave the Robins the lead. 8

Joe Williams: A bit like Dickie it was a good start to the game but will be annoyed that his tackle could stop the run of Mayenda before it. The rest of the games was a professional performance from the scouse midfielder. He read the manner of the game and timed his sitting back and going forward positions very well. 7

Leading by example

Jason Knight(C): As usual the City skipper was here, there and everywhere as he led by example. Never looked like slowing down and was constantly getting his side on the front foot. He kept up his run of playing every minute this season and looked like he could play for another 90 minutes. 7

Max Bird: Playing forward than normal and looked a huge threat whenever he got the ball. Was comfortable driving forward with the ball and also receiving the ball in tight areas in and around the box to keep play moving. In the second half his tireless pressure got the crowd going and was a nightmare for the Sunderland defenders. 7.5

Pressing matter

George Earthy: The George Earthy that we are seeing now is something that not many would have expected. Tireless from the West Ham loanee throughout his time on the pitch. The Sunderland defenders really struggled keeping track of him with his quick runs and flicks in the first half. And in the second half he was pressing until he couldn't anymore. 7.5

Nahki Wells: Is he really 35 years old? He showed really good pace and power to draw the red card early on. He gave the Sunderland defenders hell with his body positioning and strength throughout the 90 minutes. He brought the Ashton Gate crowd to life when he tracked back and won the ball back when it looked like Sunderland were about to start a dangerous counter attack. 7.5

Substitutes

Haydon Roberts: Came on late to help secure the win. 6

Marcus McGuane: Replaced Williams and played the holding midfielder role brilliantly. He was composed with the ball and when he could feel pressure coming towards him he quickly found a team mate and kept the game moving. 6.5

Yu Hirakawa: Replaced Tanner at half time and was immense up and down the right hand side in the second half. The japanese winger was constantly playing give and go with various players like Vyner, Knight and Bird. As always his name was constantly chanted whenever he picked up the ball and the Sunderland players couldn't keep up with his pace. 7.5

Anis Mehmeti: The Albanian had a tough job with topping the Earthy performance as he came on for the west ham loanee. Mehmeti nearly had a goal of his own with a right footed shot that came after a textbook dribble from City’s top goal scorer. 6.5

Scott Twine: After his return cameo at QPR, Twine made his Ashton gate return today and just like everybody in red and white today it was a composed performance to help seal the win for the robins. 6.5