Saturday 28 November 2015 19:32, UK
Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce hailed the impact of Duncan Watmore after the young forward came off the bench to help seal a 2-0 victory at home to Stoke City on Saturday.
Watmore replaced Jermain Defoe midway through the first half at the Stadium of Light and played a major role in the Black Cats securing back-to-back Premier League victories for the first time this season.
The 21-year-old drew the foul which led to Stoke captain Ryan Shawcross being dismissed for a second bookable offence and then scored with six minutes remaining to ensure the Black Cats climb above rivals Newcastle and out of the relegation zone.
"He (Watmore) gets everyone on the edge of their seats. He plays without fear because of his age, as he does not really know the impact he has had," Allardyce said.
"He probably does not know the size of playing in the Premier League and long may it continue. The more and more he plays without fear, the more and more he plays like that, the more and more he gets a game and ultimately in the end, we hope he gets a start."
Allardyce added: "He has made Shawcross's day a nightmare. Because of the way he turns in one movement, it caused them all sorts of problems, and in particular him.
"Clearly in the end he could not cope and he got two yellows, a red and the referee got it exactly right. Our job was to take advantage of that and obviously Duncan scoring the winner, he has taken full advantage for us."
Allardyce was appointed as Dick Advocaat's successor in October, with Sunderland rooted to the foot of the Premier League table and without a win from their opening eight matches.
He has since led Sunderland to three wins from six matches and Allardyce believes back-to-back victories over Crystal Palace and Stoke will provide a huge boost for his side in their bid to secure their Premier League status.
"They are massive, back-to-back wins and clean sheets. Also two good goals and two bits of quality that helped us get the three points and break down a very stubborn Stoke defence," he added.
"I think in the end it's a very well deserved win and two exceptionally good goals. It's a very sweet victory and a pleasing one."
Allardyce also confirmed Defoe and midfielder Sebsatian Larsson will undergo scans to determine the extent of injuries picked up during the win.
"I don't think we'll know until they have their scans. One is a medial ligament injury with Seb and Jermain has pulled a hamstring," he said.
"So we'll have a proper diagnosis of how long (they may be out for) when they have a scan in the week."
