'Brilliant!': Sunderland fans hail surprise star man after stunning Doncaster Rovers display

Gooch was something of a surprise star, with question marks over his ability to start after a long injury lay-off.

But he shone at the Keepmoat Stadium, scoring one and playing a key part in the second goal as Sunderland ended their nine-game winless run.

And here's what fans had to say on social media about the Black Cats’ performance:

@Rocknrollridley said: “When they keep the ball on the floor they can play football.... Keep playing like this and get a striker than can score from a yard and we laughing”

@AlexJaMills added: “We’re much better playing it on the floor, up and over just doesn’t work”

@AWMiller15 commented: “Hume and Gooch have been brilliant down the left hand side and worked it so well for Maguire's goal”

@WalmsleySE9 posted: “Gooch has been best player on the park here, everything good we’ve done has been through him”

Former Sunderland striker @SleevesElliott added: “If Gooch could get back to form consistently then he could a big plus from now till end of season. What a strike”

@AnthonyMorrow83 jested: “Denver Hume and Lynden Gooch aren't only great names for detectives, they're also our best players”

@ianhigh1 tweeted: “Who is this Sunderland team playing with some passion, high energy and commitment this afternoon! Nice to see for a change, reckon they must have been threatened with having their Louis Vuitton washbags confiscated”

@shellsy87 said: “Regardless of how “well” we are playing, the last 2 months have been atrocious. Parkinson still has to go”

@1Easterbrook commented: “Haven't seen us play with this much drive or desire for weeks. Makes all the difference”

@RamseySAFC added: “Gooooooooooooooooch and Huuuuuuuuuuuuuuume ripping them to shreds.”

@jimmylowson tweeted: “Best Sunderland have looked without the ball in a long time. Lack of quality on it seriously concerning, think in an attempt to play with greater urgency and tempo we’re rushing and botching far too many easy passes”