JACK Clarke angered Tony Mowbray in the first half an hour at Blackburn - then thrilled his boss as he showed his class to inspire Sunderland to a third successive Championship win.

Clarke scored Sunderland's first goal from the penalty spot at Ewood Park and wrapped up the 3-1 victory with a classy finish 12 minutes from time.

Mowbray never doubts what Clarke is capable of going forward, describing the former Tottenham and Leeds winger as a "super talent".

But the head coach was frustrated with the 22-year-old in the opening stages at Ewood. With Blackburn on top and creating a string of chances, Mowbray wanted more from Clarke out of possession.

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"I was extremely unhappy with him for half an hour. He was right in front of me and he wasn't listening," said Sunderland's boss.

"Jack is a brilliant lad. I need to say he was amazing and scored two great goals. He earned the penalty and put it away. It shows the confidence level to stand up and take it, and the composure for his second goal.

"But not just the goal. The more the game went on, the more this team knows to give it to Clarke who can run 40 yards up the pitch, he can run inside, pass it to people in the box. He can shoot.

"He's a super talent, he's a great kid. I don't apologise for shouting at him and telling him he has to work hard.

"As I've said to him, the great players work harder than everybody else, then their talent shines through really and that's what he has to do, to learn to work really hard out of possession for his team."

Clarke moved joint-top of the Championship goal charts with his brace at Ewood Park, taking his tally to five in seven outings.

At the weekend, Mowbray praised the winger for the manner in which he's responded to Sunderland rejecting summer bids from Premier League side Burnley.

He said: "He is not sulking, he is not upset that he didn’t go to the Premier League because the club didn’t think the fee was right."