Premier League: Sunderland boss Gus Poyet hails strike duo after win over Stoke

Sunderland boss Gus Poyet was full of praise for his strikers after both were on the scoresheet in a 3-1 win over Stoke.

The Black Cats were yet to win a Premier League encounter this season prior to the visit of Stoke, but two goals from Steven Fletcher - his first goals of 2014 - and one from Connor Wickham were enough to earn three points for Poyet's men.

And the Uruguayan boss, who made the bold move of selecting Fletcher and Wickham together, admitted his pleasure at the move paying off.

"It was a decent performance, but not our best," Poyet told Sky Sports.

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"We were very good in front of goal, which is something that was lacking in the previous two games.

"The headers were magnificent, and the last one was a perfect break.

"It was important for the whole club and the city. There were a lot of nerves around the place.

"Now we are talking about one defeat in seven rather than one win in six. There is a different mentality amongst the players."

Poyet was especially complimentary of Fletcher's display, and was pleased to see him get back amongst the goals.

"The problem with Fletch is that he likes to pull wide, and link-up the play," Poyet added. "But then he has to get the chances to score, and he hasn’t had them

"Today it worked well with Connor, and he got in the right places.

"You need to smell the goal sometimes, and know where the ball is going to drop."