Sunderland character pleases boss Martin O'Neill

Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill has praised his side's character after Wes Brown's late winner secured a 3-2 win at Queens Park Rangers.

The Black Cats were pegged back to 2-2, having led 2-0 earlier in the game, but bounced back through Brown's header to secure a first away win in three.

"Tonight I felt we drove at them again to win the game when it was at 2-2," O'Neill told BBC Newcastle.

"We've been very positive which is great and encouraging."

It was the first time Sunderland had scored three or more goals in a fixture since a 4-0 victory against Stoke City in mid-September.

WINNING AWAY WITH SUNDERLAND IN 2011

  • 5 January: Aston Villa 0-1 Sunderland
  • 22 January: Blackpool 1-2 Sunderland
  • 7 May: Bolton 1-2 Sunderland
  • 22 May: West Ham 0-2 Sunderland
  • 22 October: Bolton 0-2 Sunderland
  • 21 December: QPR 2-3 Sunderland

O'Neill's faith in Nicklas Bendtner was rewarded with an early header that gave the Wearsiders a platform for the success, while Stephane Sessegnon also netted with a cool finish after oupacing the Rangers defence.

"We've scored three goals tonight, for a side that doesn't get many I suppose that is very encouraging," said O'Neill.

"The centre forwards were terrific tonight, Sessegnon was out of this world and I thought Bendtner showed what he is capable of doing."

He added: "There were a lot of great performances and it would have been really annoying if we had dropped points there.

"There was a possibility of dropping all three."