Martin O'Neill: "The fans were absolutely terrific"

Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill has said that James McClean's early goal was key to his team's 3-0 victory over Reading.

The Irish winger struck in the second minute to get the Black Cats off to a flier, before Steven Fletcher doubled the lead in the 28th minute.

Stephan Sessegnon rounded off the victory in injury time to see the North-East outfit jump to 15th in the Premier League table.

"It was a great performance, very spirited," O'Neill told the club's official website. "We scored three good goals and we won the game convincingly.

"The early goal was very important because recently we've been chasing games and sometimes we've given ourselves mountains to climb."

O'Neill's side had not won in four games, but the Northern Irishman believes that the fans are still fully behind the team.

"The fans were absolutely terrific," he added. "Of course they were apprehensive and nervous about the game, but they were very supportive.

"If we can give that effort and commitment every week at the Stadium of Light the crowd will stay with us."

Reading remain in the relegation zone.