Sunderland defender Sebastian Coates says they're now playing as a team.

Victory over Stoke City has seen Sunderland move out of the bottom three.

“We have taken six massive points this week but we need to keep going, playing in the same way and working hard in the week," he told the Evening Chronicle.

“We now look like a team, that's how we have trained during the weeks, to try to get to that level.

“As a defence, as a defender, and for the keeper, for us to keep a clean sheet is crucial because it builds confidence.

“You could see what the Crystal Palace game did for us against Stoke, now hopefully the Stoke game will help us even more going in to the rest of the games."