Darren Bent says two Sunderland players were ‘absolutely magnificent’ against Burnley

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Sunderland shocked Premier League Burnley at Turf Moor in the Carabao Cup with Will Grigg, Tom Flanagan and George Dobson all scoring.

Darren Bent has paid tribute to much-maligned Sunderland duo Tom Flanagan and Jack Baldwin as the centre-backs shone in Wednesday’s shock 3-1 win away at Burnley in the Carabao Cup second round, while speaking to Quest.

Just a few weeks ago, the pressure was rising on Sunderland manager Jack Ross after he started the season with successive 1-1 draws. But things change quickly in football and suddenly the Wearsiders are flying on the back of a five-game winning run.

Will Grigg scored his first goal since April with a typical poacher’s finish, George Dobson opened his account for the club while Lynden Gooch produced his best performance in months as Burnley were stunned in front of their own supporters.

But it was Flanagan and Baldwin, making rare starts at centre-back, who caught Bent’s eye.

“They were absolutely superb, defensively they were solid and they took their chances when they came. They were quite comfortable,” said the former Sunderland and England striker.

“The two centre-backs, Flanagan and Baldwin, were absolutely magnificent. They put their bodies on the line, either one of them could have been Man of the Match for me.”

Flanagan has never been a fans’ favourite at the Stadium of Light but an impenetrable display at Turf Moor, plus a well-taken header which gave Sunderland the lead in the tie after a Joe Hart spill, was the perfect way to silence the critics.

Baldwin, meanwhile, made his first appearance of the season in Lancashire with Jack Ross admitting to the Chronicle that he could be sold before the transfer deadline. Surely he deserves a stay of execution now.