SUNDERLAND head coach Gus Poyet believes Wes Brown’s own goal in the win at Crystal Palace on Monday could be a “key moment” in his side’s season.

The Black Cats put the defeats to Southampton and Arsenal behind them with victory at Selhurst Park, but they had to fight back when Brown’s own goal levelled for Palace after Steven Fletcher had given them a 31st minute lead.

The former Manchester United defender was at fault for goals in the losses to Southampton and Arsenal and was subsequently dropped to the bench for Monday night’s game.

Injury to Patrick van Aanholt saw Brown enter the field in the first half and ten minutes after the break the centre-back turned into his own net after Costel Pantilimon had made a superb save to deny Marouane Chamakh.

It was Sunderland’s third own goal of the season – the other two came in the hapless 8-0 defeat at St Mary’s – but Poyet paid tribute to the way his side responded to gifting Neil Warnock’s men a way back into the game.

"We had everybody defending and trying to fight for each other,” the head coach said. “We were doing the part that we don’t enjoy.

“I don’t think too many people enjoy doing the ugly side of football, but you need to do it to get three points.

“Wes doesn’t know how it happened. I think that moment was a key moment. After the difficulties of the last two weeks, it would have been very easy for the team to go weak, it was a good reaction.”

Own goals were a feature of Sunderland’s relegation battle last season with six scored in total, but Poyet believes it was impossible for Brown to avoid it and paid tribute to him for trying to stop Palace from scoring.

He said: “I was talking to the people from Sky, I was asking Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher if there was any training session they could put on to stop these own goals. They said no. It just happens.

“The willingness of Wes to go back and cover that position when you saw a player free is what cost him.

“He was running so quickly that he couldn’t stop, it would be very easy to stay away from it and let the player score. There is not a worse feeling for Wes in coming on to the pitch as a substitute and scoring an own goal.

“I’m pleased that we won so he’s not going to be feeling that bad.”

Sunderland are waiting to hear the extent of van Aanholt’s injury after he suffered a dislocated shoulder.

The Dutchman has been ever-present for the Black Cats this season and is the club’s only senior left-back, meaning Poyet will have to shuffle his pack for Sunday’s visit of Everton.

French defender Anthony Reveillere moved to left-back after van Aanholt was stretchered off and after impressing he is likely to fill the void against the Toffees.