Sunderland needed some support from the bench against Plymouth, and their two teenage midfielders certainly made an impact.
Jack Clarke praised Sunderland’s youthful players Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg for their contributions in the win over Plymouth.
Bellingham, 18, and Rigg, 16, came on to help Sunderland overcome a 1-0 halftime deficit and win 3-1 at the Stadium of Light.
Jobe scored the third with an excellent individual performance, but Clarke was equally thrilled with Rigg.
“I think we could see there were good performances from the boys who started and there were big performances from the guys who came on and gave us the fresh legs when we needed them,” Clarke told the website.
“Especially Jobe and Riggy in the middle.” “When they came on, they were top drawer.”
Clarke was again on the scoresheet, scoring his 14th Championship goal of the season and doing so in style.
He has now contributed 18 goals this season. He, on the other hand, feels it doesn’t matter who scores as long as Sunderland continues to win.
“I don’t enjoy thinking about numbers too much. For me and my squad, it’s all about winning games, not who scores and who does what.
“We’re pleased to have earned three points today, and we believe it will help us start the week off right.
“Hopefully, we can maintain our current form and go on a nice run, as we did last year heading into the playoffs. Things are in the correct place, so perhaps things are beginning to work in our advantage.
“It’s a short turnaround in between games but we’ll do what we can to be in the best possible shape going into Wednesday night [against Huddersfield]. Hopefully we can pick up another three points there.”
