Fulham v Sunderland player ratings

Brede Hangeland’s dismissal was a key moment as Fulham were beaten 3-1 by Sunderland. Here’s how we rated the Whites players in their defeat at Craven Cottage.

Mark Schwarzer: 6
Had little chance to prevent any of the three goals and produced a fine save from Adam Johnson’s curling effort shortly before Mladen Petric’s equaliser.

Sascha Riether: 6
Got forward well early on but had to play a more reserved role after Hangeland’s dismissal. Allowed the outstanding Johnson too much space in the second half.

Aaron Hughes: 6
Impressed in the first half, making a couple of important interceptions to break up rare Sunderland attacks and his cleverly weighted pass set up a good chance for Dimitar Berbatov. Struggled with the movement of Stephane Sessegnon in the second half.

Brede Hangeland: 5
Solid and assured until he lunged into a two-footed challenge on Sunderland skipper Lee Cattermole, for which he was sent off. Perhaps unfortunate to see red, given that he won the ball and his feet weren’t off the ground.

John Arne Riise: 6
As usual, got forward well – and hit the bar with a deflected shot early in the second half, only to see Sunderland sweep up field and go in front within a matter of seconds. Dealt well with the intermittent threat of Seb Larsson.

Giorgos Karagounis: 6
Began tidily and was unlucky to be the one sacrificed for Philippe Senderos after Hangeland’s dismissal.

Steve Sidwell: 6
Put in a good shift but his performance was let down by a lack of composure inside the box when two good shooting opportunities presented themselves. Was also beaten in the air by former Aston Villa team-mate Carlos Cuellar for Sunderland’s second.

Damien Duff: 7
Always looked a threat cutting in from the right-hand side and set up Fulham’s goal, staying onside – just – to cross for Petric. Involved in the majority of Fulham’s most promising attacks.

Bryan Ruiz: 6
His star shone brightly early on but he limped out of the game just before the hour mark, one of two hamstring-injury victims. His departure paved the way for Petric’s impressive cameo.

Alex Kacaniklic: 6
As with Ruiz, his early promise was cut short when his hamstring deserted him on 27 minutes. Replaced by Hugo Rodallega.

Dimitar Berbatov: 6
An unusually mixed performance from the Bulgarian. Involved quite a bit early on, heading over from Duff’s cross, but then missed a great opportunity to put the Whites ahead just after Hangeland’s sending off. The game largely passed him by in the second half, with Petric to the fore instead, although his cute pass did release Sidwell for a one-on-one, which the midfielder spurned.

Hugo Rodallega: 6
Burst forward well in fits and starts when he came on for Kacanikilic. Was involved in the build-up to Petric’s goal and also battled well in the air.

Philippe Senderos: 5
Thrown into action for the first time this season, to plug the gap at the back left by his captain. His lack of match action perhaps showed when he was outpaced by Steven Fletcher for Sunderland’s opener. Will get a chance to shine in the coming weeks, however.

Mladen Petric: 7
A superb cameo, bringing Fulham to life in the final half hour. He almost scored with virtually his first touch, but fired over from an angle when well placed. Did find the net minutes later, though, sweeping home Duff’s cross.

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