Sam Allardyce hailed striker Duncan Watmore who came off the bench to help Sunderland to a 2-0 win over Stoke City in the English Premier League on Saturday (28th November), while Stoke manager Mark Hughes felt the referee's decision to send off centre back Ryan Shawcross was harsh.

SOUNDBITE (English) Sam Allardyce, Sunderland manager:

"We've still a huge amount of work to do because we've got 12 points out of 16 games. That's a really difficult position still. We might be out of the bottom three, but it's still relegation points. We need to lessen that gap quickly. Certainly winning three of six, it takes us to where we want to be going. I said when I came here I don't want to be doing what the club's done over the last four years and have to win a huge amount of games in last six or eight matches. Let's do it as quick as we can."

SOUNDBITE (English) Mark Hughes, Stoke City manager: (on Ryan Shawcross' sending off)

"It was a key moment just inside the second half. It obviously had a detrimental effect on our ability to win the game. The referee should have used common sense. Ryan feels he got a touch on the ball. If that's the case then he's got there first. The referee should have given him the benefit of the doubt. He didn't and he's made the decision with the help of his assistant. Down to ten men I don't think Sunderland created a great deal, even down a man."