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Sam Allardyce praises new Sunderland signings Wahbi Khazri and Lamine Kone

Lamine Kone (R) of Sunderland celebrates his team's second goa

Sam Allardyce was full of praise for new boys Wahbi Khazri and Lamine Kone as they helped to score the goals in Sunderland's 2-1 win over Manchester United on Saturday.

Sunderland secured their first ever victory over United at the Stadium of Light thanks to a third-minute free-kick from Khazri, who joined for £9m from Bordeuax last month, and an 82nd header from fellow January signing Kone - which was officially recorded as a David De Gea own goal.

The victory saw Allardyce's side move to within a point of safety and the manager was thrilled with his players - and the new signings in particular.

"It was a really good performance today with the right result," he said.

"Everybody that produced and played on that field deserves a lot of credit today for the way they have managed Manchester United and how often we have taken the game to them and created lots of chances to win this game - and finally got the goal that did win it from Lamine.

Wahbi Khazri (C) of Sunderland celebrates scoring his team's first goal with his team mates during the Barclays Premier League
Image: Wahbi Khazri celebrates scoring his team's first goal

"Our new players have made a massive contribution since they have been here, but nothing bigger than today with Wahbi's goal from the free-kick and then his corner and Lamine scoring the winner for us.

"That hopefully will bode well for the rest of the season."

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Allardyce and his players will now jet off to a warm weather training camp in Dubai with their survival hopes rekindled.

Sam Allardyce, manager of Sunderland, looks on during the Premier League match against Manchester United
Image: Sam Allardyce looks on during the match

It gives Billy Jones, Younes Kaboul, Sebastian Larsson, Jeremain Lens and Duncan Watmore, who all missed this game through injury - and Jermain Defoe, who passed a late fitness test, time to recover.

He said: "With a result as big as this one, I hope it lifts their confidence brilliantly for the big push to try to get out of the trouble that we are in."

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