Disappointing, but not the end of the world. Sunderland made this a very open game which meant more running had to be done and within 44 hrs of playing Citeh it looked a bit of a stretch - especially with this squad - which contrary to popular myth,
well earlier on in the season anyway doesn't have the strength and depth to call upon. Noticed in the last two games specifically we've looked to conserve energy with the 'press' by sitting a bit. This didn't have any detrimental effect on us, I think Moyes' game plan with his injury ravaged squad caught us more today with a more expansive and open game that had high tempo added to it. Ironically, it would have been easier - fitness wise had Moyes parked the bus, but he turned it up on our weary legs and had his lads push us.
Sickening to be pulled back by two penalties when overall I thought we were 'decent' all things considered.
Mignolet: had a good game probably his best over the last four games as he was called into action and made some telling saves, the one v one against Defoe was outstanding. 8
Clyne: Whipped in one decent cross from memory onto Mane's head but other than that didn't attack or receive the wide balls enough to stretch Sunderland's back four. 6
Lovren: Thought he had a good game today, especially as we appeared more open and stretched at times during this match but everything he needed doing he did pretty well. 8
Klavan: Conceded the first penalty but this looked another game than came too quickly for him. 6
Milner: Started where he left off, probably the age/games played factor saw him go at HT, but looked more of a threat down the left than Clyne did down the right. I wouldn't have brought him off - TAA for Clyne (if Milner wasn't injured would have been the go). 7
Can: Thought he had another decent game barring a few sloppy passes and mistimed challenges, his lack of mobility I thought left him and the defence a little exposed at times as this game appeared stretched from the off. 7
Lallana: Not quite the impact in midfield he had against Citeh, worked well but was unable to influence the play with the ball as much. Another game that came too quickly for him. 6.5
Gini: Clearly hadn't recovered either, those passes weren't there, looked knackered from the off. 5
Mane: Hero to zero. I thought he was having a decent game even before he scored, he looked a threat even though he seems to have slightly gone off the boil. Then gave away the penalty trying to do Mignolet's job for him. 7
Firmino: The lad isn't offering anything now. A stark contrast in performance from months back, yet still keeps his place. Not good enough. 5.5
Sturridge: Looked boss in the first half, faded slightly in the second although it was his little 1-2 with Lallana that won us the corner we scored from. Good instinct and movement to anticipate Lovren's miss-hit pass for the goal. 7.5
Moreno: 6 Barely had an impact.
Origi: 6
We now need to be cheering on the Spuds in the hope they can hold Chelsea's lead to 5 pts. They're usually f**king useless though so I won't hold my breath.
F***ing media narrative is funny though, when we were top a while back we were certs to win the league, now Chelsea have won a couple of games on the bounce the fickleness and expert pundits quickly jump on their bandwagon and speak as though their a nats piss from winning the league. F***ing turkey's! There's still a long way to go yet, we just have to annihilate our penchant for dropping points to 'smaller' teams at the wrong time - Bournemouth and West f**king Ham, if any result will be the arse biters it will be these two.