Premier League: Sunderland's Vito Mannone and John O’Shea relieved at win

Sunderland keeper Vito Mannone and defender John O’Shea were overjoyed after securing victory over Stoke on Saturday.

With Gus Poyet rotating his team, the manager was fully vindicated as Steven Fletcher's first goals of 2014 helped the Black Cats earn their opening win of the season with a 3-1 triumph at the Stadium of Light.

After a frustrating few weeks, Mannone told Sky Sports: "We kept playing well, we kept positive and we kept focussing on our job and finally we’ve notched a good three points.

"It’s a good win but at the same time we knew we did quite well in the other games so we kept positive and we kept working on our problems and I think today we sorted it out." 

On Connor Wickham and Fletcher playing up front, Mannone added: "They were brilliant during the week. The manager wanted a more attacking side. I think we kept defending well and at the same time we created chances up front and I’m really happy for the boys and they got the goals."

O'Shea was equally satisfied with the team's efforts and said: "When you’re undefeated in so many matches but you are drawing games three points is crucial and thankfully we got that today.

"I’m a little bit disappointed we didn’t keep a clean sheet because we started the game so well but Stoke to be fair to them have been counter-attacking well the whole season. That is something we are disappointed about. We go into this international break now thinking it has been a really good start rather than ‘Sunderland have not won a game’ so that’s the big thing we have done.

"The manager always picks the best team for the day in question. Lads are always going to be disappointed [not to get picked] but they have to show the right attitude whether you are left out or you are coming on for 20 minutes.

"If you show that attitude and you take your chances when they come like Fletch did it will be very hard to leave you out."