Sunderland boss Gus Poyet hailed the performance of Lee Cattermole for their draw with Chelsea.
Poyet dubbed Cattermole "exceptional" for the 0-0 stalemate.
Poyet said: "What he did, Lee Cattermole, was an example of how you need to play in the middle of the park against a top team.
"When you need to go for a tackle, when you need to cover, when you need to follow someone, when you need to go deep, when you need to go higher, when you make a foul, even that. Sometimes it's needed, and he was exceptional.
"I'm sure he is going to go home feeling that his role in the team is very important, and he is recognised today by defending and being a leader in terms of defending."
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