Phil Parkinson has paid tribute to Grant Leadbitter for the way he stood tall and hammered in the winning penalty to seal Sunderland’s three points against Peterborough United.
Leadbitter spent time away in the club in the second half of last season but has forced his way back into the Black Cats manager’s side in recent games.
And the 34-year-old followed up his first League One start of the season at Oxford a week earlier by striking the winner from 12 yards to beat Posh at the Stadium of Light with nine minutes remaining.
It was Leadbitter’s first goal since returning to Wearside from Middlesbrough in January last year – and his first at the Stadium of Light since scoring for Boro in a 3-3 draw in February 2018.
That winning penalty was also the first time the boyhood Sunderland fan has found the net in the club’s colours since March 2009 and his performances and approach is not lost on his manager.
“He really deserves it. No one is more determined to play a part than Grant Leadbitter,” said Parkinson, whose side have now won two and drawn one of their opening three league matches.
“He wants to have a big year for the club he loves, for the fans and for his family. He wears his heart on his sleeve. I am so pleased for him and he will have felt ten-foot tall on Saturday night, I am sure.”
He added: “Grant deserved that today. It was a Premiership penalty.
“He cleared one off the line as well, moments like that separate the winners and losers and the 0-0 draws.”
Sunderland are yet to lose this season and Parkinson is happy with the progress his side have made.
“We had to be right on the money, disciplined. When things aren’t going your way, you have to come through unscathed and we did that.
“The work ethic was good. Both teams were playing, and it was who would produce a real moment. We’re delighted with three points.”