FOSTER...........................7

Agile and alert. Again showed the value of paying what it takes for a top-class goalkeeper.

CARR..............................7

Persistence and unwavering commitment personified. Just keeps on chugging away.

PARNABY........................7

Yet again did commendable job out of position. Went about things in a composed manner.

MAN OF THE MATCH: JOHNSON....................7

Establishing himself as one of the club’s great defensive rocks. Stood up when pressure was on.

RIDGEWELL....................7

Unfussy, kept matters simple and performed a strong barrier alongside his partner.

LARSSON........................7

Substituted to a deserved standing ovation, was always probing and pressing.

FERGUSON......................6

After early error he recovered poise and his positional sense was clever.

GARDNER.......................7

Eager and busy at the start, then had to dog it out.

BOWYER.........................6

Very wily in movement and reading of play from out wide.

JEROME..........................7

Again imposed himself in the air and on the deck, playing with confidence.

PHILLIPS.........................6

Skipped about into pockets early on then found it a struggle to get involved as Blues pressed back.

SUBSTITUTES

Hleb (for Phillips, 63): Great calm, skill and vision....................................7

Fahey (for Larsson, 88).

Derbyshire (for Jerome, 90).

Not used: Mutch, Davies, Bentley, Doyle.

SUNDERLAND (4-4-2): Mignolet, Elmohamady, Bardsley, Turner, Onuoha, Henderson, Sessegnon, Cattermole, Welbeck (Noble 71), Gyan, Colback (Malbranque 76). Not used: Gordon, Zenden, Riveros, Meyler, Lynch.

BOOKINGS: None.

CROWD WATCH.............................7

Noisy at start and stayed with Blues to end. Attendance: 28,108.

REF WATCH...................................8

P Dowd (Staffs): Certain, sensible and barely missed a trick.

THE MANAGER..............................7

Alex McLeish was assured and made the right change at the right time.

GAME RATING...............................6

All about the victory as Blues showed guts and professionalism.

INJURY WATCH

Johnson took blow to leg, Jerome’s calf played up towards end.

WHO’S NEXT UP FOR BLUES?

Chelsea (a), Wednesday, 7.45pm.

> Click here to read Colin Tattum's big match verdict