Advocaat: Hard work paid off

Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat said hard work had paid dividends and backed his side to stay up after watching them secure a crucial 2-1 victory at home to Southampton.

The Black Cats took the lead through a first half Jordi Gomez penalty and, although a mistake at the back allowed Southampton to equalise almost immediately, Gomez tucked away another spot-kick in the second half which proved to be the winner.

Defeat would have left Sunderland four points from safety but the victory improves their chances of survival, a point behind 17th-place Leicester but with a game in hand.
"Very important win, Advocaat said.

"Today, we have seen what you can achieve if everybody works their socks off.

"It was a real team performance and I am really proud of the way we got the three points.

"You can see, if you give everything, and everybody did, then the crowd comes behind you and it can influence a lot.

"We worked so hard, because we know Southampton have a good side and, if you can beat them 2-1, that is an excellent result."

Asked if he felt there was enough in the dressing room to get the club out of trouble, Advocaat replied with a smile: "Yes, definitely - I'm there. And 18 players.

"We have to believe in it. What is it - five games we have played now? Seven points? There are still four to go.

"Everything is still open. We have still everything in our own hands, and that's the most important thing."

Southampton questioned the awarding of both penalties but Advocaat was having none of it.

"In my opinion, [it was] two penalties. Good decisions by the referee," Advocaat added.

James Ward-Prowse was sent off for conceding the second spot-kick and Advocaat seemed to agree that may have been a little harsh.

Asked if he thought the red was justified, he laughed and said: "I am not allowed to say but I was happy that he sent him off!

"That made it a little bit easier because they have a good side, good football players."