Portsmouth goal hero John Marquis hails season-best performance from brilliant Blues at Sunderland

Ahead of this afternoon’s fixture, the Black Cats were unbeaten in League One, having conceded just once this season.

However, Kenny Jackett’s men turned in an eye-catching display to claim a 3-1 success for an outcome which was fully deserved.

Marquis netted in each half, with strike partner Marcus Harness grabbing the other to build on Tuesday night’s win at Gillingham.

And for Marquis, it was the finest display of the Blues’ campaign so far.

He told The News: ‘It was a very good team performance, we had a gameplan and we stuck to it.

‘We didn’t want to come here and change the shape we’ve been playing lately and try to match them up as other teams have done when here this season.

‘We have stuck to what we know we can do - and executed the gameplan perfectly.

‘I’d say it was our best performance of the season,

‘Along with Tuesday night, they have been two very good away performances for different reasons.

‘Today in the second half we were very disciplined, didn’t get pulled out of our shape and on Tuesday night we started very well and did the same.

‘To come to get to a place like Sunderland to get three points makes the drive home much sweeter.

‘We knew we could counter-attack on them, they are very expansive, they are very open at times when they lose the ball, so we’ve been working on counter-attacking quickly and getting our shots.

‘We did that today and then won the penalty with a great run behind from Ryan Williams and I was able to step up and put it away.’