Van Aanholt: "We worked our balls off", after The Black Cats record win over the Potters

Sunderland earned their second win of the week after a hard fought victory against Stoke City, lifting the Black Cats out of the relegation zone.

Late goals from Patrick Van Aanholt and Duncan Watmore finally broke down the ten-man Stoke resolve, after Shawcross saw red early in the second half.

After a difficult start to the season, goal-hero Van Aanholt scored his first ever Premier League goal to give the club the precious three points that their hard work deserved.

The win moves Sunderland out of the bottom three and the Dutch wing-back insists the team have worked their way into that.

He said, "It's giving us a boost, we got three points on Monday and the gaffer said we had to carry on and try get three points today".

I think we worked hard, we worked our balls off".

After a bright start in the game, an injury to last week's match winner Jermain Defoe dampened spirits, however, for the second game running, Duncan Watmore came off the bench to tirelessly provide Sunderland with a vital attacking input.

The England u21 international was responsible for Ryan Shawcross' dismissal, with a desired run leading to the foul.

Watmore rounded off his fantastic performance by scoring the second, killing off the game, and his impact wasn't missed by Van Aanholt.

"Duncan is a good player, young player, he's got the potential, he's very good", said the Dutchman.

"You know he's quick, he can run at people and that's what he did, he came on and made an impact".