McClean provides spark for Black Cats

MARTIN O’NEILL paid a glowing tribute to the role played by young Irishman James McClean in helping to ensure his Sunderland reign got off to a dramatic winning start.

McClean, an unused substitute on eight previous occasions this season, came off the bench for the final quarter hour to inject some much-needed life into a flagging display by the hosts, who climbed out of the bottom three thanks to a priceless come-from-behind victory sealed by two goals in the last six minutes.

McClean, a £350,000 summer arrival from Derry City, caught the eye with a number of purposeful runs and crosses down the left on his Premier League debut, and O’Neill said: “Just at the moment when we all needed a lift, on came James McClean. His first move was probably the first time most of the crowd here have seen him.