Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce was happy for Patrick van Aanholt after his goal in victory over Stoke City.

Van Aanholt fired the opener seven minutes from time, the strike marking a turnaround in fortunes for the former Chelsea full-back, who was booed by his own fans earlier in the season.

"It's not difficult to see his qualities, it's just using them in the right areas at the right time," said Allardyce. "It's your decision-making process, and I have to get everybody's decision-making process better, which has been about cutting out these mistakes.

"So Patrick has made a massive contribution, as did Duncan (Watmore)."