Sunderland defender says home form is key

However, they have since stemmed the losses and have now lost just one in six league games, and that came against Antonio Conte’s Chelsea. They could have had a point from that, too, had Thibaut Courtois not pulled off a flying save from Patrick van Aanholt in the final minutes.

Sunderland have landed some crucial wins against teams in the bottom half at home in recent weeks and Denayer says there is confidence that they can continue that form against Stoke City on Saturday.

The Potters have improved from a dreadful start to the season but still only occupy 11th place in the table.

Denayer said: “I think it’s easier to play and get good results at home, I think the expectation of the coach was right. We feel more confident at home.

“Every game is important, we need to be fit, so we need to recover well and try to do our best.”

Sunderland’s draw with Burnley was hardly a classic, but it was another game unbeaten at home for the Black Cats, who also managed to keep a clean sheet.

The Belgian centre-half underlined the importance of that, and said the rather more subdued atmosphere was down to the poor football on show.

He said: “It was important for us. [The lack of atmosphere] was just the game.”