Didn’t have a genuine save to make during the game, as he had no chance with the Huddersfield goal, did spill a dangerous pass into the six-yard box that Neil had to bail him out for. Didn’t make a save during the shoot-out, despite getting close to a few of them.

Never looked entirely comfortable up against a tricky winger and didn’t even show what he could do going forward.

Bar one mishit clearance, he strolled through the game. Defended well and happy to go forward, should have scored after a diving header from a corner but a good debut.

Another good debut in the middle of defence, sprayed some lovely passes around with his left foot and looked comfortable defensively.

Out of position at left back again but defended well enough and was always getting forward to support attacks.

Often guilty of overplaying, trying flicks when a simple ball would do. Looked much better when the pace picked up after the break but should have scored when set free down the right, tried to square it though and then hit the rebound into the side netting.

Used the ball well, without being incisive and did well to clear after Patterson fumbled a dangerous Huddersfield pass late in injury time.

Very poor in the first half, really struggled on the left wing but was much more like his old self when he switched back to the right. Lots of nice interplay on the right and played a lovely ball to set Rigg away.

The game passed him by a bit before the break but heavily influential in the second half after the formation change, almost scored a free kick but for a great save by the Huddersfield goalkeeper.

Had one good opportunity saved in the second half but then scored the equaliser with good movement and a good header into the far corner. Very quiet otherwise though.

Very quiet in the first half but came alive after the break when he shifted to the left wing, always causing problems for the visiting defence.

Came on at half time for Huggins and looked much more at ease than the Welsh under-21 international, solid defensively and was always an attacking option down the right.

Replaced Isidor on the left wing and picked up where the Frenchman left off, kept driving at Gooch with his pace and created one goal with a lovely cross onto Guiu’s head. Unfortunate in the shoot-out, as he was the only player to miss his effort.

Replaced Mukiele at the heart of defence and played some good, driven passes up the pitch.

Man of the Match: Arthur Masuaku

Both Masuaku and Mukiele had fine debuts, defending well and providing a bit of quality in the build up but Masuaku edges my man of the match thanks to playing the full 90 and having a number of great passes to the wide right position.

Sunderland’s Arthur Masuaku and Huddersfield Town’s Joseph Taylor battle for the ball during the Carabao Cup second round match at Stadium of Light , Sunderland. Picture date: Tuesday August 26, 2025. (Photo by Owen Humphreys/PA Images via Getty Images)

Sunderland’s Arthur Masuaku and Huddersfield Town’s Joseph Taylor battle for the ball during the Carabao Cup second round match at Stadium of Light , Sunderland. Picture date: Tuesday August 26, 2025. (Photo by Owen Humphreys/PA Images via Getty Images) PA Images via Getty Images

15 Comments