Tottenham half-time player ratings vs Sunderland – 7/10 for player who made vital block

The first half of Premier League action has just come to a close between Tottenham and Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

Roberto De Zerbi’s men were held to a goalless first half in his first game in charge of Tottenham Hotspur. Let us take a look at how the individual players got on.

Antonin Kinsky – He has not been tested much; the Spurs number two is playing only his first Premier League game of the season. Granit Xhaka did, however, try to catch him out with a corner that was close to dipping into the back of the net. He was later called into action and produced a fine save as Sunderland threatened, one that should do his confidence a great deal of good. 7.

Destiny Udogie – A quieter first half from the Italian, who has barely bombed forward to overlap Richarlison. Sunderland have barely threatened his side, and each time they have, he has been equal to it. Later in the half, he joined the attack and delivered a teasing low cross that caused confusion in the Sunderland box before falling to Solanke, who failed to convert. 6.5.

Cristian Romero – The Tottenham captain has made a couple of crucial tackles inside the box and has also won a couple of headers when crosses have been flung in. Romero also held his own against Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey, getting tight and physical, but eventually picked up a yellow card. 7.

Micky van de Ven – The Dutchman has kept it simple at the back, often recycling possession and playing passes out. He did make a crucial interception later in the half after Romero ran forward to join in the attack, before picking up a soft yellow card. 6.

Pedro Porro – Sunderland are trying their best to target the right of Tottenham’s backline and Porro has often been caught out of position, although Spurs have not been punished. He did pick up a yellow card for dissent. 5.

Archie Gray – The youngster has looked really good in the centre of the park, keeping things simple with his passing, which he has varied, short and long. He has won a couple of tackles as well, also helping to fill in at centre-back after Romero’s forward runs. 7.

Conor Gallagher – The midfielder has looked to get as many tackles in as possible in this first half, but has often struggled to cover for Pedro Porro when he is out of position. 5.5.

Lucas Bergvall – A bright early start from the Swede, who is in the number ten role this afternoon and has been tasked with leading the press from the front. He came close to giving Spurs an early lead after being well-positioned for a tap-in, only for Sunderland to clear. 6.5.

Richarlison – The Brazilian is not being deployed in the centre-forward role here, instead being used on the right, where he has looked bright. He has played a couple of through balls to set up attacks and had a good chance from the edge of the box, but his effort was tame and straight at the goalkeeper. 6.

Dominic Solanke – The Tottenham number nine almost created the first goal of the game when he latched on to a Richarlison through ball, ran down the channel and looked to pick out Bergvall in the box. As the half progressed, Solanke had a couple of half-chances, including a good opportunity late on when Udogie’s cross fell kindly to him after a couple of ricochets, but he was unable to find the back of the net 6.

Randal Kolo Muani – He is the one De Zerbi has turned to in the absence of Kudus this afternoon and he has managed to put in a solid shift. He created a good chance for Richarlison after a driving run following a Tottenham counter, but the Brazilian did not convert. He later thought he had won Spurs a penalty, but it was not given. 5.5.