Sunderland owner Stewart Donald has heaped praise on the club's fans for their support in the 4-2 win against Barnsley at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday night. 

Taking to Twitter after the game, Donald dubbed the support 'special' but also 'mad' as the Black Cats continued their fine run of form.

"Sunderland fans are simply the best," he wrote.

"Almost 30,000 again for a midweek game where the weather could so easily have put you off coming.

"Your support is absolutely magnificent, and a little bit mad, which is why this club is so special."

The Black Cats raced into a 3-0 lead after half-an-hour with Aiden McGeady opening the scoring from the spot before strikes from Josh Maja and Lynden Gooch put them in a dominant position.

Kieffer Moore dragged the Tykes back into the game with two goals, but Jack Ross's side were not to be beaten, however, as Luke O'Nien tapped home a fourth to make the game safe.

The win extended the club's unbeaten run to 11 games in League One and maintained their spot in the automatic promotion places along with table-toppers Portsmouth.

The verdict 

Donald can praise the fans but the primary reason they have all returned is himself.

Since taking over the club in the summer a feel-good factor has well and truly returned to the club, with the fans once again feeling a special connection with their team after two seasons of misery.

His decision to bring in Ross and ship out the likes of Papy Djilobodji have been a breath of fresh air.