Sunderland manager Chris Coleman has hailed "a positive day" but has vowed not to get complacent after his side claimed their first home win in 364 days.
A late strike from debutant Josh Maja proved enough to earn all three points from their encounter with Fulham at the Stadium of Light this afternoon, a result that marked the side's first victory at the ground in all competitions since December 17, 2016.
In the process the side moved out of the Championship relegation zone and made it seven points from Coleman's first five games in charge.
"I am really happy for a lot of other people if I am honest, myself and Kit [Symons] have only been here a few weeks and I am pleased for the staff and supporters," Coleman told reporters afterwards. "It is a great feeling and they will enjoy it. It is good to get rid of an unwanted record, a fantastic three points.
"From my point of view it is only three points, a small gain. This is a positive day but I know what is ahead of us, I am not getting carried away. We can improve in possession but we had to start somewhere. We had to stop the rot. That meant clean sheets. It comes from the training ground, we work them hard but the lads have been great. They just get on with it and embraced it.
"It is a good start, so many games and challenges. Today is nice for what it is. This is a great three points. it gets us out of that bottom three. There are a lot of points still to play for.
"The supporters were ecstatic. I would be the same as them if I had waited that long for the home win! What we can't do is think everything is okay because we have won.
"We have to go into next week with the same appetite and a little bit of fear, a little bit of fear is good for you. We need to perform again. We have won a game at home, great, we have to make sure we build on it. That is the message I am sending to everyone else. Tough prep this week for a home game next week."
Next up for Coleman's side is another home encounter - this time against bottom side Birmingham City - next Saturday afternoon.
Neil Wilkes
