Bailey Peacock-Farrell: Confident in playing ball out from back. Saved a deflected Dzeko effort and blocked another shot from him, but couldn’t stop his second goal. 7
Paddy McNair: Pushed forward but never really got going, putting in a poor cross. Replaced by Kyle Vassell in an attacking switch. 6
Craig Cathcart: Assured display in defence and threatened in attack. Almost got onto a clever chipped free kick from Davis and had a header saved under the bar. 7
Jonny Evans: Some good passing but hesitated when Duljevic headed forward, leading to the opening goal. Dzeko also spun delightfully away from him. 6
Jamal Lewis: Was looking lively and alert, if sometimes impetuous in the challenge, until his stumble let Visca set up the first goal. Didn’t let his head drop, though and blocked a Visca shot. 6.5
Olly Norwood: Pushing his side forward with his probing passing and took one for the team, booked for bringing down Saric after he escaped Davis. Gave way to Whyte. 6.5
George Saville: A serious threat from the outset in an attacking midfield role, with well-timed runs forward. Sent one good chance wide, unlucky to strike the post with another, and had a shot saved late on. 8
Steven Davis: Not wearing the armband but still the team leader, always wanting the ball and generally using it well, including one lovely cross to Saville. 7.5
Corry Evans: Captain for the night and covered a huge amount of ground, working hard to regain possession and close down opponents. 7
Liam Boyce: The lone forward sent over a nice early cross but struggled to get into the game after that, although he held the ball up fairly well. Had a shot charged down early in second half. 6.5
Stuart Dallas: Over on his favoured left wing again but didn’t make much attacking impact, although tackled back well. Great cross led to Whyte’s chances. 6.5
Substitutes:
Gavin Whyte: Spurned one good and one great chance to score, one after the other, and then had a cross hit the post. 6.5
Kyle Vassell: Certainly put himself about, throwing a defender aside, then chasing down a back pass to the keeper. 6
Josh Magennis: Came on for Boyce but didn’t get much chance to get involved. 5.5