Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris said his side have shown “more consistency” recently following their goalless draw with Leeds.
The Black Cats ended a four-game losing run in the Premier League with a point at the Stadium of Light, with the game played in windy conditions due to Storm Boelo.
Sunday’s match caps off a busy week for the Wearsiders, who were beaten 2-0 by Bournemouth in the league last Sunday before claiming a midweek point in the Europa League against Lech Poznan.
The Bournemouth match was particularly disappointing for Sunderland, who are still bottom of the Premier League, but Le Bris believes that despite his side’s struggles they have been more consistent in their recent outings.
“Tight game, intense against a good team, they built momentum at the beginning of this Premier League,” Le Bris said.
“We are struggling a little bit so the most important was to be Sunderland. I think we showed intensity, togetherness, consistency and we avoided those unforced errors we committed probably the last games.
“It was important to be really disciplined, consistent and waiting for the opportunity, so this is great.
“After that, the weather wasn’t easy to manage, but we showed on the ball some great things, created small chances, but it wasn’t enough to win it.
“If you look at Bournemouth, just a question of cheap mistakes. It’s important in this Premier League – don’t give gifts to the opponents because it’s so hard to win games and it was the case.
“It happens but you have to learn quickly. At least against Poznan and now against a good team, Leeds, we showed more consistency.”
Brian Brobbey was denied twice by James Trafford in the first half and Nilson Angulo had good chances after the break for the hosts.
Leeds also looked to threaten as Ao Tanaka went close in the second half and substitute Sean Longstaff was denied twice at the death.
A point continues an impressive start for the Yorkshire side, who are seventh, and boss Daniel Farke believes a draw was a “fair outcome”.
He said: “First of all, I think it’s fair to say it was not the nicest piece of football.
“On a day like this you can accept this, of course, on a warm, sunny Saturday or Sunday afternoon after a good training week anyone can play proper football, but these games also belong to the Premier League.
“We had a difficult training week with many key players not available during the week. Came here to a difficult ground, not many teams have won here last season, they’ve qualified for Europe.
“It was one of these days where you have to accept that you can’t shine that much football-wise, it’s more or less to dig in and grind out a result, fight for second balls and show steel. This is what we did today.
“You travel back home from an away ground in the Premier League with a point and a clean sheet, that’s always a good result.
“We had perhaps at the end of the game two good chances for Sean Longstaff, also an opportunity to score, a penalty shout, I’m not sure how close that was.
“Overall I think the draw is also a fair outcome of this game and for us, definitely a good point. In these conditions also a good outcome.”
