GUS POYET wants Sunday’s memorable derby day victory over Newcastle United to be a defining moment in Sunderland’s history by urging his players to seize that winning feeling.

The Black Cats head into Boxing Day’s visit of Steve Bruce’s struggling Hull City after receiving a pre-Christmas lift following a fourth straight win over their North-East rivals.

But Poyet remembers the euphoria surrounding the 3-0 triumph at St James’ Park on February 1 and the woeful way his team reacted to it.

Sunderland failed to win another game until April 19, including seven defeats in the Premier League as well as reversals in the Capital One Cup and FA Cup.

But Poyet senses things should be different this time around, believing Sunderland are a stronger unit with the potential to grow following Sunday’s dramatic win on Tyneside.

“I always knew the team,” said Poyet. “This now is confirmation of what we do. I’m still thinking we need to improve because I don’t want any more draws. I want to win football games.

“I know you need to start somewhere. First, I want my team to be solid. We conceded like 2,000 goals last season in the first part of the season.

“I want us first to be difficult to beat, then you start playing and taking chances. But how long does that take? I still want to see more, I don’t change because of this one game. I’m ambitious – that’s the mentality I want.

“The next game is the most important. Last year when we won the derby we didn’t think the next game was important and we went two months without winning a game. I’m going to fight until the players have that mentality, that only the next game matters.”

Since losing 8-0 at Southampton in October, Sunderland have lost just twice and they have become a much tighter team to play against. A string of five draws during that run, however, has left Poyet trying to inject greater attacking verve.

“Players react to different things. Did Johnno score because of what I said? I don’t think so, he scored because I kept him on the pitch. I believe in moments. I believe in confidence,” he said.

“That’s what I want to see now. I don’t expect them to play like Bayern Munich – it’s about being the same team but with the confidence to produce those special moments.

“The players are convinced now. I know we had that bad day at Southampton and that will be there all of my life. The players are confident that what we’re doing is working. We needed a win.”

He added: “When I first came here I just wanted a win and then we beat Newcastle and that allowed us to beat Man City.

“We need moments to make the team believe in what we’re doing is working. Johnno showed that. Last year he was brilliant in January, maybe that will come a little bit earlier this time.

“Let’s see if we can end the year on a high. The players are confident themselves that they have a role and they know how to fill it. In terms of the basics, they are clear.”

Johnson’s match-winning goal in the 90th minute on Sunday has also turned the focus on him again as an individual.

The former Manchester City and Middlesbrough winger, who has not played for England since joining the Black Cats in 2012, has been inconsistent since his switch but has shown his brilliance in patches.

Poyet said: “We’ve been asking him to do too many things in defence – he has been too far from the opposition goal.

“The responsibility is 50-50 – some of it mine because of the way we play, the other half is with the player and when he gets the chance he needs to produce.

“I think it’s a process. When Johnno missed that chance, it was him. But when he controls it and puts it in the back of the net, it’s him, not me.

“You don’t score away from home in a derby three years in a row if you’re bad, no, he’s a special player. This will help him a lot. I would say he will be very good over the next few games now.”

Poyet has ruled full-back Anthony Reveillere out for up to a month with the calf problem sustained during the warm up at Newcastle. Billy Jones, fit after ankle trouble, is competing with Sebastien Coates to face Hull.