Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris said he was proud of his players despite Monday's damaging late defeat at Leeds.
Le Bris' side were good value for their lead and appeared on course to cut the gap on Leeds to four points at the top of the Championship before Pascal Struijk's late double.
The Black Cats are now eight points adrift of the top two after their eight-game unbeaten league run was halted.
Le Bris said: "I think it was fair for us to score the goal and to be leading at half-time.