Aiden McGeady and Charlie Wyke were on the scoresheet as Sunderland recorded back-to-back league wins. It has been a good week for SAFC with victories over Accrington Stanley in the League Cup, and now back-to-back wins over Portsmouth and Rochdale in League One. Click through our gallery of images to see what ratings our Sunderland man Phil dished out following the victory over Rochdale at Spotland, with Jon McLaughlin playing a key role in the closing stages. Sunderland face AFC Wimbledon on Saturday.
1. Jon McLaughlin
Distribution from open play was very good and almost sprung his team in on numerous occasions. Handling in the second half was typically good in difficult conditions. 7 Photo: FRANK REID
2. Luke O'Nien
Looked very uncertain defensively and struggled to cope with Oliver Rathbone, but made a real impact at the other end with a key hand in both goals. 6 Photo: Ian Horrocks
3. Alim Ozturk
Got away with a couple of difficult moments in his battle with Ian Henderson but won some big headers late on and generally did the basics well. 6 Photo: Ian Horrocks
4. Jordan Willis
Got away with a missed interception early on but Sunderland would have been in far greater danger were it not for his pace in dealing with through balls and his strength in the air. 7 Photo: Ian Horrocks