Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray has challenged his players to keep their impressive run going after a 2-0 win over Watford kept them fourth in the Championship.
Full-back Niall Huggins' thunderous first goal of his professional career put the Black Cats on course for three points two minutes before half-time.
Abdoullah Ba's back-post header in the 62nd minute effectively sealed the points before the Hornets had substitute Ryan Andrews sent off for a reckless tackle on Jack Clarke late on.
It was Sunderland's sixth win in eight matches, leaving them six points off the top two ahead of Saturday's meeting with neighbours Middlesbrough.
Mowbray said: “I'm delighted for Niall. He has had a tough time in the year or so I've been here with injury. Yet he's had really high moments too.
“We did huff and puff for 45 minutes but we got the job done. I thought the centre-backs were amazing tonight. I'm pleased with them all, we have goals all over the pitch.
“We have to keep going. We kept a clean sheet and got three points.
“The moment normally comes from Jack Clarke or Patrick Roberts, and yet Niall comes up with an amazing goal.
“We preserved what we were doing. Sitting here now with 2-0 feels good. It was a dangerous game.
“I'm not sure Watford's results warrant the talent they have. I am just pleased we have three points and move on to the next one.”
Watford head coach Valerien Ismael, who was handed a contract extension on Tuesday, kept his players in the dressing room for more than an hour after the defeat at the Stadium of Light.
Watford sit a point above the relegation zone in 21st position having only won once since the opening weekend of the season and travel to Cardiff this weekend.
Ismael said: “When you lose games you are not happy. I needed to have clarity with the players in the changing room. I wanted some answers, like why we came from a strong performance where we dominated a game and to this.
“The way we conceded the first goal showed we are not able to do the basics at the moment. That is frustrating.
“Sunderland are a team with a lot of confidence, they have started strong, we had to face that, but we were not good enough.
“I need answers from them and for them to understand they must focus on the game in two days. We needed a lot of time in the dressing room.
“We can't continue to play like that. We need to change something and I need the answers from the players. If they can give me answers then they will be able to give me answers on Saturday.
“We got a lot of answers, everyone said something and I think we can work on that for the next game. Now it is all about Cardiff.
“The players need to step up and take responsibility and make sure we come back to our strength.”
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