Sunderland head coach Dick Advocaat hailed his side after they sealed a fifth-straight Tyne-Wear derby win over fierce rivals Newcastle United on Sunday.
Jermain Defoe's stunning first-half volley gave the Black Cats a 1-0 win at the Stadium of the Light and moved them into 15th place in the Premier League - three points clear of the relegation zone.
While Advocaat felt his side could have won by a greater margin, he has enthused by the effort his players displayed.