Debut hero Asamoah Gyan was happy with a point after coming off the bench to score in the draw at Wigan.
Gyan replaced Danny Welbeck at half time and wasted no time in opening his Sunderland goalscoring account at the DW Stadium.
Sunderland couldn't hang on for victory but Gyan took many positives from the game and admitted he was impressed with his new team-mates, telling safc.com:
"It was a great game but it was really difficult for us with one man down. But we got the goal in the second half and in a game like this an away goal is very important.
"One-one is okay. The team showed heart and everyone is happy with a draw. I am pleased with what I have seen from the team.
"The fighting spirit is there and we showed that by battling with one man down."
Gyan's moment came 66 minutes in when he converted his first chance of the game.
Jordan Henderson's skill earned him an opening down the right and Gyan got across his defender to volley the ball beyond Ali Al Habsi.
"It was not an easy finish," he reflected. "I was with the centre back, in front of him, and then I changed direction to leave him. It was an intelligent move.
"The goal was wonderful and I am happy with a draw."
And Gyan added a word for Sunderland fans, describing his delight at seeing almost 5,000 Sunderland fans massed behind the goal.
The travelling support gave Gyan a warm welcome and will certainly have gone away happy with their new striker, who explained:
"The fans were quite incredible. They supported us right until the end of the game. When I came here I spoke about the fans and today showed again our support is great.
"I hope they come to other away games like that. They give us the spirit to go forward."