SAM ALLARDYCE believes Sunderland have a squad capable of winning the fight to stay in the Premier League after watching his new-look team claim three points against Manchester United.

An early goal from Wahbi Khazri and a header from Lamine Kone, which has been widely and controversially been given as a David de Gea own goal, eight minutes from time sealed the win despite Anthony Martial’s leveller shortly before half-time.

It was a good day for Sunderland, who are only a point shy of climbing out of the bottom three which they will look to do when they return to action at West Ham on February 27 after a warm weather training break in Dubai.

Allardyce said: “It showed me that the squad is good enough. If the squad can be depleted by four or five key players and you overcome that injury list and produce a performance like that, it tells me the squad is united, it's all trying to pull in the right direction, and with a result as big as this one I hope it lifts their confidence to try and get out of the trouble we're in.”

Allardyce is delighted with the impact his new signings have made since arriving in the transfer window.

Both Khazri and Kone were impressive apart from the goals against Manchester United, while Dame N’Doye was strong down the flank and could have scored. Jan Kirchhoff, who was strong against Manchester City, had to hobble off early with a hamstring problem.

Allardyce is confident his recruitment success has had a positive effect on the players that were already on Wearside.

He said: “It was a really good performance with the right result, and everyone who played on that field deserves a lot of credit, for the way they've managed Manchester United and how often we've 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.

“Our new players have made a massive contribution since they've been here but no more so than this with Wahbi's goal off the free-kick and then his corner for Lamine's winner. Hopefully that will bode well for the rest of the season.

“We've got a lot of injuries and we've got another one with Kirchhoff going off after 20 minutes or so. We had five players missing who could have been selected and Jermain Defoe had had a fitness test before the game for his hamstring. He lasted very well for us.”