GUS POYET was delighted that luck was on his side for once as Sunderland broke their Monday hoodoo to beat Crystal Palace 3-1 last night.

The Black Cats had not won on a Monday evening in the last 20 games, but a brace from Steven Fletcher and a cool finish from Jordi Gomez either side of yet another own goal gave Poyet’s side the points in the capital.

After a tumultuous fortnight that included an 8-0 defeat at Southampton and a 2-0 home reverse to Arsenal, Poyet’s relief at the full-time whistle was clear.

“We needed a win somehow, I can’t put into words what we did. But we had to win. All managers can talk about a specific way of playing but this was just about winning. There were so many things against us, the last few weeks, the last 20 games on a Monday night, we needed to do something to win.

“This was a game where we knew we needed to suffer for periods. We knew it would be difficult for a few moments but we knew we’d have to play through it and suffer and when you have the chance you need to get the ball down and play, and take advantage of what we were trying to do.

“You can’t just play one way. We couldn’t just say we are a passing team and that is it. I think that was the best part of it.”

Fletcher took full advantage of slack defending to notch his first goal of the evening, before slotting home in stoppage time to put the gloss on a hard-working performance at Selhurst Park, and Poyet paid tribute to his lone striker.

“Fletcher has been like that since he got injured and I dropped him. He has been outstanding in training, and he has been a really refreshing player to watch,” said Poyet.

“If we put the ball in there for him I’m sure that he’s going to score plenty for us.

“It’s up to us to create, he’s the finisher. We need to give it to him, for him to finish.”

Palace were denied a penalty with just 23 seconds on the clock when Fraizer Campbell was hauled down by Santiago Vergini, a decision that manager Neil Warnock railed at in the aftermath of the game, and Poyet felt he would have had no complaints had Phil Dowd pointed to the spot.

“I think everyone is saying that it was a penalty, so I’m not going to disagree,” said the Uruguayan. “Even my analyst said that it was a penalty. We got the luck. We haven’t had much luck this year so what’s important is that when you have it, you take advantage and win the game.

“I think the players deserve the credit because it was not easy. It’s not easy to come here, they didn’t stop coming and coming at you. They keep putting the ball in the box, they keep winning corners, you need to withstand that to have a chance of winning the game.”

Sunderland once again travelled in fine numbers, some achievement considering their last trip ended in an 8-0 loss, and Poyet added: “The fans had the worst trip ever back from Southampton, the trip from London is a little bit shorter but I’m sure it’s going to be a pretty one.”

One negative from the game was the injury to Patrick van Aanholt, who fell awkwardly after a challenge on Wilfried Zaha, and Poyet is awaiting further news on the defender.

“He’s in hospital now and they’re trying to put it back,” Poyet said. “We’re just waiting to find out the damage and how long he will be out for. I don’t know too much about shoulder injuries.”

Sunderland’s victory came in a new all-white third kit, and Poyet hopes his side can wear it again if it brings the same result.

“Maybe we should ask to play in white more often,” joked Poyet. “I don’t think it’s going to be possible, but after 20 games without winning on a Monday night, that’s finished now. You’re not going to be able to ask me about that.

“Then we played in white for the first time and we won, so maybe we should do it again.”