Phil Parkinson reveals his half-time dressing room message as Sunderland run riot against Wycombe Wanderers

Goals from Charlie Wyke, Denver Hume and a Chris Maguire penalty saw Sunderland 3-0 up at the break following another utterly dominant display.

Wyke and Tom Flanagan both hit the woodwork too, with Maguire scoring a stunning long-range free-kick in the second half to seal the 4-0 victory and push Sunderland into sixth place.

Phil Parkinson’s side are now unbeaten in six games following an excellent week which has seen back-to-back victories, the second knocking Wycombe off the top.

Reflecting on the win, Parkinson said: “I am very pleased, it was a big game for us, top of the league coming to town, the lads built on the recent performances and went a level above that Lincoln game.

“Second half against Lincoln we took a back step. We spoke about that at half time and we kept the momentum going, we had chances didn’t take them but kept going.

“We worked hard and played some good football in difficult conditions.

“When the top of the league come to your patch you have to make a statement.

“We did that with the manner of the performance. I can feel the momentum building.

“We have to keep our feet on the ground and concentrate.”

Having gone nine games without a win before Christmas, Sunderland’s form has been transformed since the festive break.

Parkinson named an unchanged side with the 3-4-3 system working well again, with Wycombe shell-shocked after finding themselves 3-0 down after just 21 minutes.

Asked what was behind the improved form, Parkinson added: “A combination of working on how we are playing, finding a shape, the fitness levels of the lads has definitely gone up and credit to them for their hard work.

“We saw that over Christmas, there is a real togetherness and determination.”

Parkinson was delighted for Denver Hume, a cool finish to double Sunderland's lead.

He added: "Denver's goal I was so pleased with, he is such a good finisher, he finished with real confidence and there is more to come from him in that department."