Saturday 31 January 2015 21:09, UK
Sunderland manager Gus Poyet said it was a "perfect afternoon" after his side beat Burnley 2-0 to win at home in the Premier League for the first time in almost four months.
Connor Wickham gave the Black Cats the lead after 20 minutes before Jermain Defoe doubled the advantage on his debut at the Stadium of Light.
Burnley improved in the second half but could not prevent Sunderland securing a first league win since early October.
“In the first half we needed to start well, show the fans how much we care and that we are trying our best,” Poyet told Sky Sports.
“It was important to make some passes, score a nice goal, and the connection was back straight away. Everybody was waiting for Jermain to score so it was a perfect afternoon for us.”
The Black Cats were booed off by some of their fans following the goalless FA Cup draw with Fulham last weekend but were fully deserving of victory over Burnley after a much-improved display.
“It was a decent performance under the circumstances and I am pleased especially for the players,” said Poyet.
“It’s important when you play in a certain way that the responsibility in the team is shared by everyone. The two strikers that started the game scored, then (Steven) Fletcher and Danny (Graham) came on and gave everything, which is fantastic because it gives me options.
"Before it was more about trying to change the shape or find a solution and complicate things, whereas football is very simple."
While the win eases Sunderland’s relegation worries slightly, Poyet said: “We can't think we are ok, as soon as we think that it will be bad. I want to make sure we need to keep improving and we go into the next game thinking we need to win again.”
