Phil Parkinson reveals the half-time message that inspired Sunderland's turnaround against Ipswich Town

After a fairly limp first half display, the Black Cats were quick out of the blocks following the interval and carved open their visitors on several occasions as they sought a breakthrough.

And while Sunderland were made to wait for the breakthrough – with Chris Maguire’s 81st minute strike proving the difference – Parkinson was delighted to see the side took heed of his half-time message, as he urged Sunderland to sharpen up their play.

Indeed, Parkinson was keen to see his side get on the front foot after the restart, after an opening 45 minutes in which they allowed Ipswich the chance to dominate possession for large spells.

“I just felt we were a bit slow in our build-up in the first half, we were taking too long,” said the Sunderland boss.

“They were clearly stepping on us to stop us rolling it out the back and we need to identify that quicker.

“We needed to go and play in their half and that's what we did, and all of a sudden they drop in and then you can throw it out quicker.

“We played at a better speed, and I said to the lads that home or away - but certainly at home - we need to get teams on the back foot.

“We didn't quite implement that in the first period but switched onto that in the second half.”