Sunderland continued their impressive Championship form with a fine win on the road last night.

Tony Mowbray’s side comfortably dispatched a Reading outfit that were above them in the table, demolishing them in a game that finished 3-0 to the Wearside visitors.

The Black Cats have now snuck into an unlikely playoff spot after nine games.

Although Jack Clarke earned praise for his workmanlike performance and crowning third goal, it was Patrick Roberts who was  the main man for Sunderland.

He was SofaScore’s highest performing player in the game, accruing a stunning 8.7 rating during his 74 minutes on the pitch.

Realistically it was his two-minute double salvo that downed the Royals.

His first was a fine left-footed finish after driving in from the right, whilst the second capped off a splendid team move as he tucked a finish into the bottom left corner from close range after again beating a man.

He was a constant threat, and despite only playing 83% of the game he still managed 55 touches and three shots on target.

The “special” talent, as once described by The Sun's Derek McGregor, was also successful on three of his four attempted dribbles, with some of those crucial in the goals that he scored. This, combined with his 100% accuracy on all crosses and long balls denotes a near-perfect performance from the right winger.

Not only was he unstoppable offensively, but he did not shirk his defensive duties either. It is this work rate that has made him such a fan favourite at the Stadium of Light, as he also managed to win four of his seven ground duels.

Writer for the Sunderland Echo Phil Smith dished out a rating of nine for the 25-year-old, citing his “two outstanding finishes” and his ability to rise to 'Mowbray’s challenge' after being handed a start.

Perhaps now he can use this performance to kick on and continue his side’s wonderful form.

Although Clarke did impress down the left flank, it was undoubtedly Roberts who stole the show last night.