Phil Parkinson reveals what he told Lynden Gooch at the Sunderland team hotel before MK Dons screamer

And his manager Phil Parkinson was delighted the winger had listened to his pre-match message.

With twelve minutes remaining of a tight affair against MK Dons, Gooch cut in from the right wing, skipped past a couple of defenders before curling home a stunning strike with his left foot into the top corner to spark wild scenes of celebration.

Parkinson described it as a moment of ‘immense quality’ and revealed his pre-match message ahead of the victory at Stadium MK.

Parkinson said: “It is a moment of real quality from Lynden.

“I had a good chat with him in the hotel about how he has done since getting back in the team but wanting him to push on again and not just accept the pats on the back which have come his way because he is a very good player and he has to keep taking his game to the next level each week and that goal was a moment of immense quality.”

The game also saw Kyle Lafferty, the clubs new No8, make his debut after signing a short-term deal until the end of the season, Lafferty coming on as a second half sub.

Parkinson added: “He could have done 20 to 25 minutes but he is not ready to start a game yet.

“He has another week on the training pitch, he showed some good touches and a good appetite to work for the team, that is what we are stressing to the whole team and that is what we are stressing to all the lads, it is about the team work ethic first and foremost.

“He came on and did well, he had a chance, and produced a great ball across the box for Alim [Ozturk] too, so it was good to get him some game time, great for him to be a part of it.

“Alim really did have some good chances, the one in the first half and the one we’ve just discussed in the second period too.”