Mark Atkinson praised his side’s effort and commitment to come from behind twice and secure three points over Stoke City on Saturday.
Sunderland under-18s found themselves behind twice, but goals from Robbie Dunne, Lee Connelly and Jack Diamond ensured they secured back-to-back wins for the first time this season.
It also meant the young Black Cats collected their first three points of the U18 Premier League season, to lift them off the foot of the table and up to ninth.
“They were really persistent, they kept going and going and in the end they got what they deserved,” Atkinson told safc.com.
“On a different day if our quality was better in the final third then the game would’ve been a lot more comfortable.
“For me, we were in general the better side and we create a lot of chances and could’ve increased the scoreline.
“That is something we need to work on but I was pleased with the persistence of the players to keep going and going, especially after being behind twice.
“They came back and deservedly got themselves the three points.”