Sports writer Andy Warren hands out player grades following the Blues’ 2-0 victory at Sunderland
Bartosz Bialkowski
In truth he didn’t have an awful lot to do, but everything he needed to, he did well. Was caught out under one high ball but never looked like being beaten. 6
Jordan Spence
Galloped forward regularly to support Town breaks and was solid enough at the back after dealing with the early Sunderland storm. Worked well with Ward. 6
Luke Chambers
Like the rest of the Town defence he was pulled around for the opening 20 minutes or so but recovered superbly. Got his head on the end of everything in the second half and ensured the Blues defence was not breached. 7
Cameron Carter-Vickers
Struggled under high balls for much of the afternoon and was turned on occasions, but managed to recover well and was combative when battling for the ball on the ground. Clearly good with his feet as he managed to stride out of defence on a few occasions. 6
Jonas Knudsen
Another solid left back display as he contributed in defence and attack, as he does every week. Was lucky to get away with penalty appeals, though, when the ball appeared to strike his arm in the second half. 6
Callum Connolly
Tenacious, ambitious and solid – another good performance from Connolly. He seems to be growing in stature as the season goes on, with his ability to shield the defence and move the ball forward helping his side. 7
Cole Skuse
Back in the side and looking to dictate play from the centre of midfield, but wasn’t able to exert his dominance and looked understandably short of match fitness. A few passes went astray and he lost possession on occasions before being replaced. 6
Grant Ward
Arguably his best game of the season. Ward was industrious as he charged up and down the touchline and regularly beat his man and delivered teasing balls which tested the Sunderland defence. His cross led to the second goal as it bounced in off Matthews. 9
Freddie Sears
Given a rare start and was his usual active, committed and selfless self as he ran all afternoon. Pressured Adam Matthews into putting into his own net and was mobbed by Town players hoping he had got the final touch. Sadly he didn’t. His final ball was often off, with at least two breaks coming to an end due to poor passes, but a day to take confidence from. 7
Martyn Waghorn
Would have dreamed of scoring against his boyhood club but it wasn’t to be, with his best chance creeping wide when clean through having previously curled the ball against the bar from a free-kick. Contributed well off the ball, though, with a series of neat touches. 7
Joe Garner
Another who had his best game for some time. In recent weeks he has struggled to be involved in open play, but that was not the case today as he spread the ball to his team-mates time and again and played some neat passes into space. His goal epitomised his game, as he brought it down, protected it and then fired home. 8
Stephen Gleeson (for Ward 74)
Replaced Ward and was an extra body in the middle of midfield as Town protected their lead. 6
Luke Hyam (for Skuse 83)
Helped sure things up as time ticked down. 6
Adam Webster (for Garner 90)
One big clearance to preserve the clean sheet. 6
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