Sunderland are shrewd. Shrewd with their transfer business; shrewd with their tactical approach – and also calm and measured. Such qualities they exuded in their victory at home to Crystal Palace.

And they appear to have a pathway laid out for them to grow as a Premier League club and establish themselves in a cutthroat world that was alien to them until Regis Le Bris came to the North East.

On a run of five games without a Premier League win, Sunderland fans could have been forgiven for feeling a little uncomfortable when Yeremy Pino put Crystal Palace ahead on Saturday.

But there was no evidence of panic in the stands – or on the pitch.

And the smart recruitment extends long before last summer. A case in point is Enzo Le Fee.

He’s an all-action midfield player who has just marked a year at the club. His swift, composed equaliser set Sunderland on their way to a victory which would be sealed in style by the strength and instincts of Brian Brobbey – another player that appears to be moving through the gears in the Premier League.

Sunderland’s home record since promotion is phenomenal.

Palace were weary and broken by the end, but Sunderland still showed many of the qualities that have made them so formidable at the Stadium of Light, an atmospheric and imposing arena in its rightful place as a top-flight venue again.

It is Sunderland’s shape and rhythm that stands out, as well as the shear power and technical ability that runs through a group of players brought together to try and make Sunderland a force to be reckoned with.

Le Bris’ vision of this group and how it should play is transparent and he should be applauded for making the team click so soon, with so many fresh faces coming in since he arrived.