'He drove us forward' - Sunderland boss praises Dan Neil role in Plymouth win

Dan Neil was the star of the show as Sunderland beat Plymouth, and he earned praise from Michael Beale for it.

Michael Beale praised Dan Neil for an outstanding second half performance against Plymouth, saying he was crucial in turning the game around.

Sunderland had to come from behind to beat Plymouth after conceding a sloppy goal shortly before half-time, with Beale admitting there were ‘honest words’ spoken at the break.

However, the Black Cats were able to turn it around immediately in the second half, with goals from Pierre Ekwah, Jack Clarke and Jobe Bellingham.

Sunderland 3-1 Plymouth: Player ratings as Black Cats battle back to win

An absolutely key part of that turnaround, although Beale said it took a tactical tweak to make it happen.

"We made a tactical change and got Dan free by tying up their midfielders,” Beale said.

“For a fifteen, twenty-minute period Dan had a lot of freedom. He had a really influential second half in all aspects, he won duels, he drove us forward, he played passes.

"In that fifteen, twenty-minute spell we looked a really good team.

“It's incredible when you compare the level of performance in the two halves, but I guess that's what it's like managing a young team at times.”

The win took Sunderland back into the top six thanks to Hull’s surprise home defeat to Swansea, although Coventry are still to play this weekend. 

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