Sunderland manager Gus Poyet has claimed that Adam Johnson's upturn in form is due to a change in how he is utilised in games since he has taken charge.

Johnson scored his first professional hat-trick against Fulham last Saturday, with Poyet claming that he has improved since being given less defensive responsibility.

"It needs a team to play one way, I am convinced," he told Sky Sports News. "Even if he is a player who can do things individually, you need to use him well.

"You cannot just give him the ball and expect him to deal with everybody every time he gets the ball, because that doesn't suit a player, apart from the Messis and company."

Last week's win lifted Sunderland off the bottom of the Premier League.