Sunderland picked up another vital three points in their hunt for automatic promotion from League One with a 1-0 win at home to Portsmouth on Saturday afternoon.

Elliot Embleton netted the only goal of the game in the first half after being slid in by Ross Stewart, in a victory which was not always smooth sailing as the visitors had more possession of the ball and more shots on goal (SofaScore).

Despite the victory, some players struggled for the home side, and The Transfer Tavern have assessed statistical experts SofaScore to analyse who the three worst performers (to have played at least 45 minutes) were for Lee Johnson's team at the Stadium of Light:

Daniel Neil (6.8)

Admittedly tied with Leon Dajaku in terms of rating (6.8), Neil ranks in third here as he played the whole match, whereas the Bayern Munich loanee was withdrawn in the final few minutes.

The 20-year-old midfielder lost out on seven of his duels in total and also failed to record a single shot on target or clearance, while giving possession away 11 times as well.

Tom Flanagan (6.6)

The only Sunderland player to be given a yellow card, Flanagan ranks second-worst with a 6.6 overall rating.

The defender lost 10 duels, the joint-most out of his teammates, and did not block any shots, while his 21 losses of possession was the joint-most out of any player on the pitch.

Lynden Gooch (6.2)

Gooch was ranked as Sunderland's worst player with a measly 6.2 rating.

The American lost six duels and never managed a pop at goal, key pass, accurate cross or long ball. Defensively he made no interceptions, while he also gave the ball away on 19 separate occasions on a day to forget for the 26-year-old.

In other news, find out what transfer update has had these Black Cats supporters raging