One ‘excellent’ Sunderland ace was hailed as the ‘best player on the park’ in their draw with Leeds United.
Sunderland claimed a plucky point at Elland Road last night, bringing Leeds United’s nine-game winning streak at home to an end.
It was only the second time the Whites had failed to score on home soil all season, but there was no doubting that the Black Cats got lucky with two penalty decisions.
While Dan Ballard’s handball could perhaps be more up for debate, the shout on his defensive partner Luke O’Nien in the second half was pretty ‘ridiculous’.
Nevertheless, Sunderland limited the hosts to only one shot on target and put on a very solid defensive performance and certainly deserved a point – leaving them unbeaten against Leeds this term.
One ‘excellent’ ace stood out from the rest
While the likes of Ballard, Timothee Pembele and Callum Styles definitely deserve high praise for keeping out their attackers, it was Dan Neil that was named as the ‘best player on the park in the first half’.
The 22-year-old was given an 8 rating by the Sunderland Echo, with journalist Phil Smith writing: “Best player on the park in the first half, showing composure on the ball and shutting down a number of dangerous attacks with some excellent challenges. Slightly less effective in the second half but overall very good and a mark of his development as an all-round midfielder.”
Dan Neil showed no fear as he came up against the likes of £35.4m Georginio Rutter and Europa League finalist Glen Kamara.
The midfielder looked extremely comfortable up against a Premier League quality team, while he even stood out on many occasions.
Neil had 46 touches, one key pass, two successful dribbles, one interception and a whopping seven tackles – almost double the amount of any other player on the pitch.
Sunderland have their hands on an all-round star in Dan Neil
The Sunderland academy product certainly proved his versatility in midfield, given how brilliant he has been for us going forward this season too.
Neil was forced back by a very talented Leeds United attack and didn’t crumble at all, but instead dominated and kept them all in his back pocket at once.
His strength and quality in the middle of the park is nothing new this week though.
Neil has made the second-most tackles in the squad this season (72), the third-most interceptions (38), the second most blocked passes (43), the third-most successful dribbles (42) and thethird-most key passes (46).
It was an outstanding showing from an outstanding player, and a performance that can reassure us that we are well and truly screwed if we sell him this summer.