Three goals in 11 second-half minutes for Yannick Bolasie were enough to leave Sunderland battered this afternoon as Crystal Palace ran out 4-1 winners at the Stadium of Light.
With the game poised at 0-0 at the break, Palace blew away the Black Cats during the second half. Glenn Murray headed the opener in the 46th minute, before Bolasie took over and added three goals of his own to kill the game off after an hour.
Connor Wickham scored late on for the hosts, who get sucked back into the relegation scrap with this defeat.
Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at the players involved today.
© Getty ImagesSUNDERLAND
Goal
Costel Pantilimon: Had little chance with probably three of the goals, but could have perhaps done better with Bolasie's third. Having come to meet the winger, he could have made himself a little bigger. (5/10)
Defence
Billy Jones: Got forward rarely, though delivered one superb cross which almost found Wickham. Lucky not to be booked for a tackle on Souare which injured the Palace man and forced him off. (6/10)
Patrick Van Aanholt: Better going forward than he was defensively, his cross found Wickham for the goal. Susceptible to the long ball, and struggled to contain the interchanging Zaha and Bolasie. (5/10)
John O'Shea: Given a torrid time by Murray, who beat him in the air all afternoon long. As the senior pro at the back, Advocaat would have been hoping for more from his captain today. (5/10)
Santiago Vergini: Like his defensive partner, the Argentinian struggled against Murray's strength and Bolasie's trickery. Another difficult day for the Black Cats' back line. (4/10)
Midfield
Jack Rodwell: Lucky not to be sent off for a poor challenge on James McArthur. The ex-Manchester City man was overrun by the likes of Jedinak and McArthur, and this was not the kind of performance Sunderland paid £10m for. (5/10)
Lee Cattermole: Played one excellent ball out to the right to allow Jones to attack the Palace defence, but otherwise fairly anonymous. Picked up his customary booking for a shirt tug on Bolasie. (5/10)
Jordi Gomez: Another who allowed the game to pass him by, noticeable more for his fouls attempting to break up play other than anything else. (4/10)
Attack:
Steven Fletcher The liveliest of Sunderland's three up front during the first half, the Scot registered their only shot on target before the break and worked hard. Disappeared thereafter. (6/10)
Jermaine Defoe: Did not get into the game at all, which was disappointing after his wonder goal last time out. Looked frustrated at the lack of creativity behind him. (5/10)
Connor Wickham: Often got into good positions without receiving the ball, the forward tried hard to little avail. Scored the consolation injury-time goal, meeting Van Aanholt's cross well. (6/10)
Substitutes
Liam Bridcutt: Introduced at 4-0 down in place of Cattermole, the ex-Brighton midfielder was on the receiving end of a clattering by his own goalkeeper. Made two excellently-timed tackles. (6/10)
Adam Johnson: On for Jordi Gomez during the midst of the Palace goalscoring, the winger struggled to get involved in dangerous areas. (4/10)
© Getty ImagesCRYSTAL PALACE
Goal
Julian Speroni: Rarely test throughout, the keeper was a virtual spectator during the second half. Had little chance with Wickham's late finish. (6/10)
Defence
Scott Dann: At 0-0, the centre back stopped a certain goal with a fantastic interception from Billy Jones's cross. Mopped up well and dealt with Fletcher relatively comfortably. (7/10)
Joel Ward: Hardly required going forward, such was the pace that the midfield attacked with. This allowed the right-back to stay back and ensure any Sunderland half chances were snuffed out. (6/10)
Papa Souare: Limped off after 35 minutes with what looked like a dead leg. The Senegalese defender was on the wrong end of a tackle from Jones and could not continue. (6/10)
Damien Delaney: Played balls out from the back effectively, beginning a number of 'long-ball' attacks which Palace were happy to indulge in. The tactic worked, and Sunderland never dealt with the passes well. (6/10)
Midfield
James McArthur: Really looking settled in the Palace midfield now, the ex-Wigan man bosses proceedings alongside his captain. (7/10)
Mile Jedinak: Returned to the lineup after a four game absence through suspension, the Australian played one excellent ball up to Bolasie which the winger duly took advantage of. (7/10)
Jason Puncheon: In a game in which Palace dominated, it was surprising to see him disappoint. A very quiet game from a player who has become one of Palace's most influential. (5/10)
Wilfried Zaha: Often flatters to deceive, but was excellent at dancing at defenders with the ball at his feet. Deserved a goal for his efforts today. (7/10)
Attack
Glenn Murray: Sixth goal in six games for him this afternoon, meeting Bolasie's cross at the back post to put Palace 1-0 ahead. His link-up play was superb, winning balls in the air all day long. (8/10)
Yannick Bolasie: A very impressive 11-minute hat-trick from a player whose end product isn't always obvious. Two of his finishes were excellent, one was a tad fortunate. But there can be no complaints about him being Man of the Match. (9/10)
Substitutes
Martin Kelly: Replaced Souare during the first half after the defender got injured. Looked solid and will retain his place if Souare is out for an extended period. (6/10)
Joe Ledley: Unable to start due to a hip problem, the Welsh midfielder was able to come on and keep things ticking over for the final 30 minutes. (6/10)
Yaya Sanogo: Replaced hat-trick hero Bolasie for the last quarter. (6/10)
Joe McPhee
