Michael Turner said Sunderland defended superbly "to a man" to secure three points at Stoke.
The Black Cats picked up their fifth league win six games in horrendous conditions, with Turner admitting afterwards that the weather was the worst he's experienced as a player.
But Sunderland shrugged off the snow to bag a fourth away league win of the season thanks to James McClean's goal on the hour.
"It was a great win for us; a battling performance," said Turner. "We knew what to expect.
"The weather conditions were difficult and we knew we'd have to defend well from throw-ins and free-kicks. To a man, everyone did that.
"We always had to be on our guard because any little thing could have fallen down to them when they were getting the ball into the box.
"We defended as a team right to the end and put ourselves about."
Meanwhile Turner reserved some praise for matchwinner McClean after the winger scored his third goal of the season, beating two men before slotting home from close range.
"It was a great run and finish from James, who has shown us what potential he's got and how good a player he's going to be," the defender explained.
"It was another great goal for him and it gave the team a great win.
"The lads are buzzing and we just want to train and play. The games are coming thick and fast - everyone wants to be involved.
"There's a real buzz about the place and we need to keep it going."
