John Eustace was delighted with Blackburn Rovers' performance at Sunderland after recording his first official win as head coach.

Rovers put in their best Championship performances for months, ending a four-month wait for an away win by beating Sunderland 5-1 at The Stadium of Light.

Two goals from Sam Szmodics in the first half put them on the right track but two goals in nine minutes after the interval ended any hopes of Sunderland coming back into the game.

It was a simply sensational display which secured a second victory of the calendar year for Rovers and moved them five points clear of the relegation zone.

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"I thought it was an outstanding performance, it has been coming," Eustace said.

"The performances have been excellent over the course of the time I've been here. You could see the togetherness was there.

"They started well, we were under some pressure at the start but we showed composure. We continued the good work the whole squad have been doing.

"It was an outstanding performance. The performance on Friday was outstanding, the display at Middlesbrough was good.

"We've had difficult games where we've had to roll our sleeves up and be competitive. We've had a lot of draws and the most important thing was winning showing our style of football and also being solid defensively.

"There was a desire to defend the box. We've been doing that very well since I came in.

"The most important thing was reacting in the second half, we came in winning but the game is never won at half-time. It's a 95-minute game and we started the second half very well.

"We won a duel in the middle of the pitch and then transitioned very quickly."

This was the first opportunity that Sam Gallagher, Szmodics, Ryan Hedges and Tyrhys Dolan have played together as a front four this season due to injuries.

All four scored or assisted in a clinical away performance which left Eustace delighted.

"The front four were awesome, unplayable at times," Eustace added.

"The most important thing for me was what they did without the ball. What they did without the ball for the team was outstanding which gives them the platform to go and play their football.

"They went and got their goals, the back four were outstanding, the midfield two. Joe (Rankin-Costello), to be out for a few weeks and then play Friday, we took him off on 60 to make sure he was ready for today.

"To play like that again, it was an all-round brilliant performance from everyone."