Gus Poyet: 'Fighting spirit can spur Sunderland on'

Sunderland manager Gus Poyet believes that Wes Brown's own goal against Crystal Palace on Monday night was a "key moment" in their 3-1 victory.

The Black Cats' slender lead was cancelled out when the former Manchester United defender put the ball into his own net, although Jordi Gomez's strike and a second from Steven Fletcher late on saw them wrap up the points.

It was a welcome win for Sunderland, who had failed to truly recover from their 8-0 reverse at Southampton, and Poyet hopes that the fighting spirit shown by his side can act as a turning point in their season.

"We had everybody defending and trying to fight for each other," the told the Northern Echo. "We were doing the part that we don't enjoy. I don't think too many people enjoy doing the ugly side of football, but you need to do it to get three points.

"Wes doesn't know how it happened. I think that moment was a key moment. After the difficulties of the last two weeks, it would have been very easy for the team to go weak, it was a good reaction."

Sunderland return to action on Sunday when they host Everton at the Stadium of Light.