IN terms of debuts, Bryan Oviedo’s could not have been much smoother. Not only did he manage to completely outshine the player he replaced in the Sunderland starting line-up, he helped secure a huge win the in battle to stay in the Premier League.

The Costa Rican looked comfortable on the ball, possessed a trick or two and an ability to defend as well as support attacks. He made life tough for Wilfried Zaha on an afternoon when Sunderland claimed three valuable points at Selhurst Park.

It was hard to believe Oviedo had not played since Bonfire Night, the last of his 29 Premier League starts during his four-and-a-half years with Everton. Trying to establish himself in the Toffees side ahead of Leighton Baines proved too difficult.

Life at Sunderland should be easier, particularly if he can carry on where he left off at Crystal Palace on Saturday.

While Patrick van Aanholt, sold for £14m by the Black Cats before the window closed, had his defensive weaknesses exposed along with the rest of the Eagles’ defence during a 45 minute horror show, Oviedo’s afternoon as the Dutchman’s replacement went from strength to strength.

Admittedly it is only early days in the 26-year-old’s career on Wearside, but there were enough reasons for Sunderland supporters to be encouraged – even if he is the first to admit that defending had not been the strongest part of his game.

“When I came here a few years ago I needed to work on my defensive aspects,” said Oviedo, who moved to Merseyside in August 2012 after spells in Denmark with Nordsjaelland and Copenhagen.

“My attacking was good but here it is different. I tend to be very focused in every game now, concentrating on not making mistakes.

“I learned so much from Leighton Baines, every time in training I did my best because if you have big competition you have to be at the same level. Every time I played I gave my best, I enjoyed it so much at Everton but I’m so pleased to here.”

David Moyes, the Sunderland manager, was the man who brought him to the Premier League initially, so he was well aware of the quality he possesses before asking him to rejoin him in the North-East.

It helped to have Darron Gibson make the switch with him from Goodison Park and even the latter, despite a lack of football over the last two years, settled into the pace of the game at Palace quickly after his second half introduction.

Oviedo said: “I am so happy to be here, to have the chance to help the team, to play. It’s a very good opportunity for me and I’ll be working hard. The manager told me he wanted to enjoy my football and help the team in every aspect. I aim to do that.

“Me and Darron are good friends, we can speak about things and that should help us. Many people tell me about the weather up here as well but so far it’s not been bad! It’s similar to Liverpool, not much different!”

Gibson, without a start since Everton played Yeovil in the EFL Cup in August, could find himself thrust into the Sunderland starting line-up sooner than he would have envisaged when Southampton travel to the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

The Irishman was Jack Rodwell’s replacement when he was forced off with a hamstring problem early in the second half. He has not trained so far and is unlikely to be involved against the Saints – having finally ended his 38-game wait for a victory on a league start for Sunderland.

There is better news in terms of John O’Shea’s injury. He also had to be replaced against Palace but is showing greater signs of recovery and could retain his place, even though Joleon Lescott hopes to slot in.

Young Sunderland defender Michael Ledger, meanwhile, has flown to Norway in the hope of joining Viking on loan.

The 19-year-old centre-back is training with them ahead of the move, although he will be back to play for Sunderland’s Under-23s against Athletic Bilbao in the Premier League International Cup match on Wednesday.