Player Ratings: Sunderland 1-1 Middlesbrough

The Belgian international might not have been over-worked but he was hardly a reassuring presence when he was in the thick of the action.

His tenacity can not be faulted but the former Manchester United defender lacks the finesse and guile to be a top-notch full-back.

The stand-in skipper should have led by example but he was at fault for Boro's opening goal and looked shaky whenever Boro pressed.

He has two FA Cup winner's medals to his credit but there will be little chance of the Manchester United old boy making it a hat-trick on the evidence of this leaden and ponderous performance brought to a premature end following a heavy fall.

He was hardly noticeable in the first half but raised his game after the break to bolster his side's attacking options before losing his way again.

The Swedish right-winger will be facing England at Euro 2012 but if this is anything to go by Ashley Cole will not have anything to worry about because the free-kick specialist is a one-trick pony.

The unsettled Midlander is suffering from homesickness and it is starting to tell because he looked out-of-sorts here, especially after having a 'goal' ruled out for offside.

The Irish international set up Campbell's equaliser with a fine pass but too often he flatters to deceive when crossing and wasted a late chance.

The most dangerous player on the Sunderland payroll, his team-mates need to work out how to get the livewire striker more involved.

He looks more at ease against Championship defenders than their Premier League counterparts which shows why Sunderland are trying to sign Kevin Davies and why he was taken off at half-time.

The veteran keeper needed all his experience to keep Sunderland at bay as the Black Cats went for a winner with a series of fine saves and assured handling before going off with a back injury.

The former Arsenal defender did his bit to keep his side in the competition in the face of a second-half Sunderland onslaught.

The Boro skipper has been tipped to join Swansea and he showed that he has all the attributes to be a Premier League defender.

He was once tipped to become an England international during Steve McClaren's reign as manager and the full-back showed what might have been had it not been for terrible luck with injuries in a polished display.

Micah Richards' former school-mate demonstrated that he has the pace and the know-how to handle life against top-flight opponents if he can steer clear of injuries.

The Belgian was always a willing outlet down the right wing and worked his socks off to keep Kieran Richardson in check and used possession well.

The Scot went from hero to zero by following up a brilliantly volleyed opener with a wayward pass that paved the way for the equaliser but showed character by sticking at it.

The Australian forward ran his socks off for the Boro cause and ensured that his team were a constant threat on the break.

The former Feyenoord player was handed a free role 'in the hole' but failed to make the most of decent amounts of possession.

Brought a physical presence to the Boro attack on his full debut for the club since a £1.5-million switch from Coventry but was left holding his head in his hands following a glaring miss just before the break.