Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray hailed the performance of Anthony Patterson in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Millwall with the 23-year-old producing another outstanding display at The Den.

Despite the visitors dominating possession for much of the match, it was the Lions who created the best chances in front of goal with Patterson making three crucial saves to keep his team in the game. 

Patterson was first called into action just before halftime when he denied former Middlesbrough midfielder George Saville from close range.

In the second period he produced a flying one-handed stop to deny Tom Bradshaw’s close-range volley before denying the Wales international again when he was clean through on goal.

The Sunderland No.1 had little chance in preventing Millwall's goal on the stroke of halftime when Kevin Nisbet side-footed home a magnificent Brooke Norton-Cuffy cross and he was relieved to see a flag raised when Bradshaw tapped in late in the game.

But without the display of the home-grown shot-stopper then it would have been a third successive defeat for Mowbray's side and the veteran boss said he has nothing but admiration for Patterson. 

“He's been brilliant Patterson ever since I walked in,” Mowbray said.

“He is such a calm, big, solid young man. It’s amazing watching him with his temperament.

“Goalies are often a bit loony, pointing and shouting and blaming everybody else.

“But this kid just does his job, you can hardly get a word out of him. We are delighted with him.”

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Mowbray left Jobe Bellingham out of the starting line-up for the trip to south London and the 18-year-old remained on the bench for the full 90 minutes.

However, the 60-year-old said it was important to protect the teenage midfielder from potential burn out. 

"Jobe has had 17 starts on the bounce, he's just turned 18," Mowbray said.

"I've spoken to him over the last month, there've been two or three times where we've planned to rest him and we've picked up an injury on the Friday and he's had to play.

“He's just turned 18 and I feel I have a duty of care to this young guy, an amazing human being who is conscientious and so desperate to do well and learn.

“Initially we'd have thought he'd come in and make a lot of substitute appearances, the odd start, and yet his performance level has dictated that he plays every week.

“The last few games I've been bringing him off and I think there have been signs of fatigue there.”