Sunderland boss pays brilliant tribute to matchwinner Grant Leadbitter and opens up on the club captain's superb return

Leadbitter then made a crucial defensive intervention to protect the three points, clearing a header from Jonson Clarke-Harris off the line.

The 34-year-old has made a superb start to the season, crucial in the win over Oxford United last Saturday.

"First of all, it was a penalty,” Parkinson said.

“I don't think when Darren watches it back he can complain.

“We probably should have had one before then, though I haven't seen that back.

“It was a Premiership penalty from Grant.

“Not only that, he's cleared one off the line at the other end.

“We always talk about the man in the near post space, that when the ball goes to the back post he has to drop in. He did that great.

“Those moments separate the winners and the losers, the 0-0 draws and the 1-0 wins.

“He deserves it, he really, really deserved that moment today,” Parkinson added.

“There is no one more determined to play a part this season than Grant Leadbitter, there really isn't.

“He's so determined to have a big year at the club he loves.

“His family are Sunderland fans and he wears his heart absolutely on his sleeve.

“He'll be feeling ten-foot tall tonight, I'm sure.”

Leadbitter took a break from the game at the start of 2020 for personal reasons, but impressed Parkinson with his performances in pre-season.

That saw him get the nod after George Dobson’s red card against Bristol Rovers, and hailed the midfielder for proving his judgement correct.

“It's huge for us [having him back], Parkinson said.

“I said in pre-season that we had the bonus of young Dan Neil coming back, but equally we had Grant in great physical and mental shape.

“I'm pleased that with the staff, that we backed what we'd seen with our eyes on the training pitch and also the stats that we get back from training.

“His data has been right up there, he looks a yard sharper all over the pitch and at times he controlled the game today.”

Sunderland were pushed hard by a lively Peterborough United side, and Parkinson said the ‘resilience’ of his team was key.

"It was a hard-fought victory,” Parkinson said.

"It was always going to be a tough game, Peterborough have some dangerous players and we had to be on the money in terms of our discipline without the ball.

“We had some good periods in the game where we controlled it, and some periods where we gave it away cheaply, especially in the second half.

“When you do have those periods you’ve got to stand strong as a team and come through unscathed, we did that and I’m delighted we got the three points.

"The work ethic and discipline of the side was good today.

"We played some good stuff when we passed it quickly, for both teams I thought it was a case of who is going to produce that moment of quality to unlock the door.

"The resilience and work ethic of the team was the key for me today.”

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