Keiren Westwood - 5

A few very good saves from long range efforts should not overshadow the fact that Westwood continues to struggle with some goalkeeping basics. Though the first goal was a calamity of errors, the Irishman's lack of assertiveness regarding balls into his area has now cost us numerous goals from set-pieces. Improved in the second half but doesn't inspire confidence.

Craig Gardner - 6

Dealt with the threat of Victor Moses fairly well. Sometimes offered his opposite number too much time, but was largely solid at the back. Pressed with vigour when moved into midfield.

Jack Colback - 6

Up against Jordan Henderson, Colback had a solid, if unremarkable, game. Pretty much what we've come to expect from him.

John O'Shea - 6

A very 'so-so' performance. Good in bits, poor in others. Have to wonder about his organisational skills as captain given the continuously shoddy marking at set-pieces.

Carlos Cuellar - 5

Much like Westwood, some good last-ditch tackles should not mask other deficiencies. Struggled against the pace of Suarez and Sturridge, and was bafflingly poor for their second goal. Showing Sturridge onto his right foot is a wise move; letting him advance unchallenged so far into your own penalty box isn't.

Adam Johnson - 5

Infuriating beyond belief. Time and again he got the ball in good positions, time and again he either picked the wrong type of cross (low instead of high, high instead of low) or wasted the opportunity entirely. An off day.

Emanuele Giaccherini - 8

Very, very good. See below for more.

Lee Cattermole - 8

An excellent return to Premier League football. Protected his defence brilliantly; a constant thorn in the sides of Gerrard and Lucas. Even offered some impressive through balls and generally distributed the ball very well.

Ki Sung-Yeung - 7

Immeasurably tidy yet again. Wasn't as incisive as perhaps he would have liked to be, but kept the ball extremely well.

Sebastian Larsson - 6

Full of effort, but not in vain for once. Hassled and harried and, just like his midfield partners, rarely gave the ball away. Goodness knows what he was doing for their first goal, however.

Jozy Altidore - 5

Was always going to find it difficult against the imposing presence of Toure and Skrtel. But he didn't help himself by being offside, lazily, on numerous occasions. Enjoyed some good link up play but rarely looked a goal threat.

Ondrej Celustka - 6

Looked to get forward when coming on and contributed to the good workrate of the team as a whole.

Charis Mavrias - 6

Used the ball well in the short space of time he was on the field.

Man Of The Match: Emanuele Giaccherini

Just pipped Cattermole as Sunderland's outstanding player today. Dropped in between the lines with encouraging frequency and enjoyed some excellent link-up play with both Altidore in front of him and the likes of Ki and Johnson in midfield. Reacted quickly to bury the rebound that got Sunderland back into the game and looked every bit the Italian international we believed we'd signed.

We'll have more reaction in our Stream in the coming days. Check it out, and what you've missed, HERE.