Sunderland midfielder Yann M'Vila has said that the Wear-Tyne derby was the best match he has ever played in due to the atmosphere at the Stadium of Light.
The 25-year-old played for Inter Milan last season in their clash against bitter rivals AC Milan during his loan spell at the club from Rubin Kazan, while he also played in Euro 2012 for France.
However, M'Vila has revealed that the clash between the North-East clubs bettered those experiences as Sam Allardyce's men recorded their first win of the campaign courtesy of a 3-0 victory.
He told the Sunderland Echo: "It was magnificent. It was the best match that I've ever played in.
"I was involved in the Milan derby last season between Inter and AC, which is rated as one of the biggest games in the world, but it didn't have the same atmosphere as this one.
"Sunday was simply extraordinary, magnificent. It was a pleasure to play in such a game. And for our morale, that win was very, very important."
Sunderland moved off the bottom of the Premier League as a result of their win.
