---
title: "Our man of the match – Sunderland (A)"
canonical: "https://readsouthampton.com/2015/11/07/man-match-sunderland/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Luke Osman"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2015-11-07T18:12:36Z"
modified: "2015-11-07T18:15:52Z"
---

# Our man of the match – Sunderland (A)

Our man of the match from today’s crucial 1-0 victory away to Sunderland simply has to go to the brick wall that is Virgil van Dijk.

Van Dijk, who in the last week picked up Southampton’s Player of the Month award, had yet another excellent defensive performance, shunning all Sunderland attacks and providing a threat at set pieces as he always does for Ronald Koeman’s men.

![Pete Norton/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readsouthampton.com/readsouthampton/2015/11/489706714.jpg)

Since joining from Celtic on deadline day last summer, it’s difficult to really point out any faults in the towering Dutch defender’s game as he continues to impress and prove his worth for The Saints.

His formidable partnership with captain Jose Fonte has been ever-present in Southampton’s eight game unbeaten run, and it will only get better for the pair at the heart of defence for The Saints.

If van Dijk can maintain his early season form throughout the rest of the campaign, him and of course Southampton will have an excellent finish to the season in a good position because of the defensive solidity that van Dijk has provided.