Steven Fletcher scored twice to lift Sunderland out of the bottom three this evening, helping his side to a 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
The Scotland international netted either side of a Jordi Gomez strike to ensure that Wes Brown's own goal did not cost the Black Cats against a Palace side that finished with 10 men following Mile Jedinak's red card.
Here, Sports Mole looks at who stood out during an entertaining clash between two struggling sides.
© Getty Images
CRYSTAL PALACE
Goal
Julian Speroni: Was forced into a few good saves, most notably twice denying powerful Vergini strikes. Could do nothing about any of the goals, each one being finished with aplomb. (6/10)
Defence
Martin Kelly: Was nowhere to be seen when Van Aanholt swung in the cross for the opening goal, and was also slow out to meet Gomez for Sunderland's second. Performed well in general play, but those were two key lapses. (5/10)
Brede Hangeland: Was the main man at fault for the opening goal having dropped too deep to play Van Aanholt onside. Was brought off in the closing stages as Palace looked to get back into the game. (5/10)
Scott Dann: Could have got closer to Fletcher for the opening goal, but was let down by Hangeland playing Van Aanholt onside. Otherwise had a solid match. (6/10)
Joel Ward: Was strong defensively as he prevented Buckley from having much influence for the visitors. Didn't do a lot going forward himself, but carried his primary job out well. (6/10)
Midfield
Mile Jedinak: Was a calming presence in the middle of the park for the vast majority of the match, keeping things ticking over and breaking up Sunderland's attacks. However, let himself down late on with a cheap second yellow card that will see him suspended. (5/10)
Joe Ledley: Solid performance in the middle of the park without ever really catching the eye. Was involved in a good midfield battle. (6/10)
Yannick Bolasie: Showed flashes of his undoubted quality with a number of mazy runs that were tough for the Sunderland defence to deal with. However, his end product was disappointing. (6/10)
Wilfried Zaha: Was heavily involved throughout and gave the Sunderland defence a torrid time with his quick feet and silky skills. Could have had a much bigger say on the game had his final ball been up to scratch, as everything else was impressive. Did supply the cross that ultimately led to the own goal, though. (7/10)
Attack
Marouane Chamakh: Missed a sitter seconds before the own goal, planting his header at Pantilimon from close range, although the keeper deserves credit for a fine stop. Was otherwise fairly anonymous all night, despite a barrage of crosses arriving in the box. (5/10)
Fraizer Campbell: Should have had a penalty after just 25 seconds and was a nuisance to the Sunderland defence all night. Created the equaliser with a clever backheel that Brown turned home, and was generally lively for the hosts. (7/10)
Substitutes
Jason Puncheon: Was quite heavily involved during his 15-minute cameo, but that involvement includes losing the ball in a dangerous area just before the third Sunderland goal. (5/10)
Dwight Gayle: Replaced Hangeland with six minutes remaining in a final throw of the dice from Warnock, but could not come up with an equaliser. (6/10)
© Getty Images
SUNDERLAND
Goal
Costel Pantilimon: Handed his club debut due to Mannone's recent poor form, and surely did enough to retain his place. Made a world-class stop to deny Chamakh, only to see Brown deflect the ball past him seconds later. Was commanding under the high ball, although his distribution was shaky at times. (7/10)
Defence
Anthony Reveillere: Was forced to switch over to left-back following an injury to Van Aanholt, but had a fairly solid debut wherever he played. Should have done enough to keep his spot. (6/10)
Santiago Vergini: Was very fortunate not to concede a penalty after just 25 seconds and looked incredibly shaky early on. Always looked like a weak spot in the defence, with his best moments coming at the other end when he forced two good stops from Speroni. (5/10)
John O'Shea: A solid presence in the middle of a defence that could have given way at any time. Stood up well to the relentless pressure from Palace at the start of the second half and led by example. (7/10)
Patrick van Aanholt: Was involved in a fascinating tussle with Zaha during his time on the field. Picked up the assist for the opening goal, but was stretchered off before half time having narrowly survived a penalty appeal with the tackle that brought his injury. (7/10)
Midfield
Sebastian Larsson: Was barely seen throughout the match, doing his best work off the ball as he helped the back four resist Palace's pressure. (6/10)
Lee Cattermole: A typically combative performance in the middle of the park as he looked to break up play during Palace's periods of dominance. (6/10)
Jordi Gomez: Drifted through the majority of the game unnoticed, but provided a moment of true quality with his finish into the bottom corner. It was a vital goal, and he took it brilliantly. (7/10)
Will Buckley: Didn't get much joy against Ward down the wing, but did provide the assist for Gomez's strike. Always a willing runner, but struggled to make a huge impact tonight. (6/10)
Attack
Connor Wickham: Didn't have as much of an impact in the attacking third as he would have liked, often being pinned back and forced into defensive duties. (6/10)
Steven Fletcher: Took his two goals very well. Nodded the first right into the corner having had to generate all the power himself, and finished the second very coolly with the outside of his boot. Wasn't involved for long periods, but made the difference when it really mattered. (8/10)
Substitutes
Wes Brown: Replaced the injured Van Aanholt having been dropped for a defensive mistake last week, only to make another howler this time around by turning the ball into his own net. (5/10)
Jozy Altidore: Replaced Wickham with 12 minutes remaining but could not make an impact or even hold the ball up well. (6/10)
Liam Bridcutt: Showed good anticipation to steal the ball off Puncheon in a dangerous area and set up Fletcher for the third Sunderland goal. (7/10)
Barney Corkhill
