David Artell makes Sunderland claim that turned the tide against Crewe Alexandra

David Artell believes his side deserved all three points from their trip to the Stadium of Light last weekend. The Crewe Alexandra boss was full of praise for his sides performance in the immediate aftermath of the result, but has since stressed the effectiveness of Alex Neil's substitutions.

Two goals in the final six minutes of the game saw Sunderland ensure their unbeaten run stretched to seven games. Substitutes Patrick Roberts and Dan Neil spared Alex Neil's blushes after a disappointing performance from the Black Cats.

Nonetheless, the Black Cats boss was pleased his side took all three points as they look to reaffirm their play-off ambitions. Artell on the other hand, is facing a battle to keep his side in the division.

“The performance was good," Aretll told Crewe's official website. "I said after the game the performance was good when I watched it back and I haven’t changed my thinking.

“We had some of the really crucial moments in the game that we didn't take advantage of, but we were good. We played in a different way, and we don't normally play like that but away from home is when we need to do that.

“I look back and I think, we should have definitely got something out of the game. Probably all three points but Sunderland are a good team and they made good changes with good players being introduced. We were comfortable until that point, and had the better chances in the game.

“We have to be a bit more clinical but if we perform like we did on Saturday, we'll always been in games. We just have to make sure that we take our chances when they come along.

“Football is full of fine margins, and we came out on the wrong side of the fine margins on Saturday. If we do a bit better on that side, then we will win