REGIS Le Bris says Sunderland's ability to successfully adapt to the "very hard" challenge they faced at Luton Town bodes well for the future - and brushed off the full-time fracas after both sets of players clashed.

The Black Cats opened a three-point gap at the top of the Championship after a hard-fought 2-1 win at Luton, secured thanks to second half goals from Chris Rigg and Romaine Mundle, either side of Elijah Adebayo's equaliser.

The Hatters made life extremely difficult for Sunderland and Le Bris told of his pride at how his players rose to the Kenilworth Road challenge.

"Every win is difficult," he said.

"It's so difficult to win a game in this league because every team is competitive. This was a different style and experience. We had Hull and this was so different this evening. If we can manage two different styles of play like this in three days, it's good news for us. It's good for the future.

"At the minute it's important to win for sure. I liked this atmosphere, it was really British and it was so well played. This kind of football is so difficult to face. I really like this kind of football, there's an identity. But if we can keep going and winning, it's good for Sunderland, the fans and everyone."

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Tempers flared at full-time when both sets of players and some coaching staff were involved in a melee, which had to be settled by officials. That was followed by angry Luton fans making their frustrations known as Sunderland players headed for the tunnel.

Le Bris doesn't anticipate Sunderland will face any form of FA action.

He said: "I don't think so. It's an emotional reaction. I don't think we need to be punished. Everyone was calm one minute later so one no problem.

"It's still emotional this kind of game. I have no problem. We protected our players and we need to keep our calm in this situation.

"It's normal to have this reaction and at the end everyone was OK."

Sunderland have now won eight of their 11 games this season but the manner of the victory at Kenilworth Road was particularly pleasing for the head coach.

He said: "I'm delighted and tired.

"After Hull, today we had the opposite and a strong style of play. It's very difficult to face against direct play, second balls, first contact, second contact, counter pressing. It's very hard to play against this style of football and it's very hard to escape this kind of pressure.

"We did well in the first five or six minutes and had two opportunities to score and we didn't. After that we struggled to apply pressure against their back three so we changed shape and it was better.

"We conceded many free-kicks and corners and defended very well with a good tactical behaviour but mindset as well.

"In the second half we knew they were on the edge so if the man to man marking didn't work and the pressure wasn't efficient we would have spaces to create chances. Even after the equaliser we kept this idea and I'm very proud of the team spirit and the fans. They were behind us and it's a good win. It was a really strong battle."