Sunderland boss David Moyes is happy for Jack Rodwell after victory at Crystal Palace.

Rodwell finally ended his run of Sunderland league starts without a win – at the 38th attempt.

Moyes said: “I was actually going to mention it [the record], but I thought 'I won't draw attention to it'.

“It has crossed my mind a few times, as a manager you'd be stupid not to look at that.

“But Jack's actually played well in recent weeks, and I'd said (on Saturday) 'It's about time you started to get a grip of games, you're not a boy any more, get over it and start getting on. It's about time you started to show that you're a top player, and that you can be a top player. Grasp games'.

“Recently, he's done that.

“I thought he had a good game. He's very good, comfortable on the ball and we want him to take more responsibility, to help make us play.

“I thought he tried that (against Palace).

“I wasn't losing patience with him, but I know Jack. It was about time, you're going to have to stand up.

“This was a big game for us and coming here we knew what we'd have to deal with. 'Jack, are you going to deal with it? Are you going to try and control the game when you get the ball?'

“We were on at him from the first minute, when he got the ball, trying to get him to make us play."