If I'm being honest, we didn't play brilliantly against Hull City, but we still ran out 4-1 winners.

I'm sure the Tigers will feel a little hard done by, over the scoreline, but they can have no argument about who deserved the points at the Stadium of Light.

From the start of the second half, there was only ever going to be one winner – and that was the men in red and white.

So not an outstanding performance, but certainly an outstanding result.

No doubt that will irk South Shields-born Hull boss Phil Brown, who was apparently a Sunderland fan as a boy.

Brown celebrated like he'd won the World Cup as he leapt on to the pitch after his side's equaliser, and chose to share his delight with home and away fans alike.

Strangely enough, he wasn't as eager to repeat the display as a jubilant home support taunted him with chants of "Phil, Phil what's the score" and "Give us a wave".

Don't misunderstand me, there's nothing wrong with opposition players or managers celebrating success for their side.

I'm just not sure that launching yourself on to the field of play and raising your arms to the home fans is the best way to do it.

And, let's be honest, fate is a cruel mistress, and such acts can come back to bite you on the behind (something Brown was all too aware of come the final whistle).

He wasn't the only one who endured a miserable return to Wearside.

Ex-Black Cat Paul McShane said before the game he expected to be a target for the boo boys among the home support. Well, they didn't disappoint.

McShane didn't enjoy the best of times as a Sunderland player, and in my opinion became a bit of a scapegoat with certain fans.

OK, so he wasn't the best, and you could argue that he was guilty of some horrendous ricks, but whatever you think of his ability he always gave 100 per cent effort.

On top of that, I'm never really sure what booing one of your own achieves (and yes, I know he isn't one of our own any more, but he got pelters when he was still our player).

Anyway, he did get the odd boo or two at the weekend, but he was given a far more torrid time by Andy Reid than he was by the crowd.

The new slimline Reid led McShane a merry dance at times, and, in my opinion, was a contender for man of the match.

I've always been a fan of Reid, but now that he's fighting fit, he really looks the part.