Gus Poyet believes Fabio Borini thoroughly deserved his goal in Sunderland's dramatic 2-1 over Tyne-Wear rivals Newcastle United on Sunday.
The Italian striker, on loan from Liverpool, netted the winner for the Black Cats in the 84th minute at the Stadium of Light and his manager felt he had really earned the right to score such a vital goal after coming off the bench.
"Fabio was so close to playing (starting), the way he has been training, his attitude, how positive he is," Poyet said.
"But sometimes you can't play for whatever reasons, because of the shape, because of the team, because of the time.
"If someone deserved to score today, it was Fabio Borini."
