Willis didn't grab the headlines - but is helping Cats back to their best

Before Charlie Wyke grabbed his hat-trick – and the headlines – the game at Plough Lane was a game of fine margins.

Sunderland had enjoyed some spells of pressure at AFC Wimbledon, but also had to do their share of defending against a lively home frontline.

There were fears that this could become the same old story – where Sunderland failed to build upon an early lead before a late suckerpunch.

As it was, it was the Black Cats who delivered the late blow to their hosts as Wyke sealed a first treble since moving to Wearside.

But before he stole the show, there was only one clear contender for player of the match: defender Jordan Willis.

Willis is unlikely to dominate the headlines given the striker’s goal-scoring exploits.

But he is every bit as worthy of praise after a fine showing in the back four.

Indeed, the fact that Sunderland were in a position to deliver their late show owed much to the work of Willis and defensive partner Bailey Wright, who limited the hosts’ sights on goal.

Goalkeeper Lee Burge had only a handful of routine saves to make and – barring Joe Pigott’s late strike off the woodwork – the Dons didn’t come too close to finding the net.

Pigott, who can be a handful for any side in the third tier, was well-marshalled and second best throughout to Willis.

The Sunderland man had the beating of his man in the air and on the ground and looked composed and comfortable throughout the game.

The ex-Coventry City defender has been a real miss to the Cats backline, and they look a lot more balanced as a unit with Willis involved.

Sunderland’s clean sheet was just rewards for Willis and his fine performance, and more shut-outs will be crucial if Sunderland are to climb the table in the coming weeks.

They were a regular occurrence at the start of the season and, having now conceded just once since the turn of the year, there is cause for optimism that Sunderland are getting back to their defensive best.

And a key part of that resurgence, in the last week at least, has been the impressive Willis.