Sam Allardyce delighted with "valuable win" over Crystal Palace

Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce has said that his team produced a "resilient performance" in their 1-0 victory away to Crystal Palace this evening.

The Black Cats won for just the second time in the league this season as Jermain Defoe struck in the final 10 minutes to seal the points at Selhurst Park.

Only Bournemouth have conceded more goals in the top flight than Sunderland have, and Allardyce admitted that he was glad they could show more resolve at the back than in recent games.

"It has been a great result today," he told BBC Sport. "A very resilient performance, our first away win and our second clean sheet. It is a very valuable win for us.

"We have been conceding three goals a game on average and that has to stop. Digging our way out of this position is about being resilient."

Sunderland are currently 18th in the Premier League table, one place below fierce rivals Newcastle United.