GUS POYET thinks ‘getting back to basics’ has helped Sunderland get things back on track in the Premier League after keeping a first clean sheet since the St Mary’s drubbing last month.

The Black Cats extended their unbeaten run to three games by leaving Leicester City, who were without a goal for 500 minutes, with a point from a hard-earned goalless draw on Saturday.

And while the result against a team struggling in the top-flight is far from ideal, it has filled Poyet with greater confidence a little more than a month since losing 8-0 to Southamtpon.

“I think it was a typical game between two teams in the situation we are in,” said Poyet. “There were not too many chances. I needed to think about what happened four weeks ago and we needed to get back to basics, so in that I am pleased. I always want more but you have to be realistic.

“We were back to basics here. That day at Southampton was a terrible day. It created doubt in the players’ mind. We made two massive mistakes there and since then we have played Crystal Palace and Leicester away and done well, we have conceded just one.”

But Poyet, whose side are far from clear of danger, knows that the improvements in form after three matches without defeat must continue – even though he knows in the short term that will be hard.

He said: “We play Chelsea, Man City and Liverpool next. In a few weeks I will let you know if we have recovered. Today I am happy. We have shown we are a Premier League team again.

“We brought the craziness of the game down at Leicester. I felt comfortable. I didn’t really feel like we had a chance to lose the game.

“It could have happened, the long ball for Mahraz and the (penalty) decision could have gone against us. Other than that I didn’t see much top concern me.

“We will play worse and win games for sure, so we should be pleased with the performances and the team shape we had here.”