Gus Poyet has said that Sunderland's players were "fighting for the club" during their FA Cup match against Southampton this afternoon.
Craig Gardner scored for the home side early in the second half and sealed the Black Cats' place in the quarter-finals of the competition.
The manager told BT Sport: "We have a got a good way of playing now and fighting for the club.
"Sometimes you need the whole group and sometimes when these games for you it is important for the rest of the season."
Sunderland has lost just once in their last 10 matches in all competitions.
