Sunderland earned a welcome three points at the Stadium of Light against Stoke City at the weekend as Michael Beale scored just a third win in charge. 

Mason Burstow scored his first goal for Sunderland to open the scoring before Abdoullah Ba added a second. The Frenchman went on to tee up his fellow countryman Pierre Ekwah as Beale's side moved into a 3-0 lead in the second half.

Stoke were handed a consolation when Jenson Seelt was unfortunate in diverting the ball into his own net in what was otherwise a strong display from the Dutchman as Sunderland ran out 3-1 winners to move back level on points with the play-off places.

Victory at the Stadium of Light wasn't the only talking point, however, after news of Alex Pritchard's desire to leave the club surfaced ahead of kick-off. Pritchard is out of contract in the summer and has outlined his intentions to leave the club having made himself unavailable for selection for Beale's squad for the visit of Stoke.

Joe Ramage and Dom Shaw deliver their verdict on the latest events at the Stadium of Light in the latest We Are Sunderland briefing below: