The £5million man scored the Black Cat's third goal chipping keeper Asmir Begovic before Sebastian Larsson's free-kick secured Sunderland's first victory of the season. Speaking to the Northern Echo the midfielder said: "I think we've hinted at what we are capable of in some early games. But it was nice to bring it all together and produce a pretty good performance." Manager, Steve Bruce, came under fire after his side collected just two points from their first five games but Gardner defended their slow start to the season. "It was always going to take a little bit of time. We've brought a lot of new players into the club this summer, and it's never easy to hit the ground running straight away. "We're not used to playing as a team yet, but I think we're getting there. We've had enough time now and we need to start kicking on." Scoring his first goal for the club the 24 year-old is looking to prove his worth after his move from Birmingham City to the Stadium of Light this summer. Gardner scored ten goals for the Blues last season and is hoping to replicate that form this season for the Tyne and Wear club. "I've come here with a reputation for scoring goals and I'm obviously keen to keep that going. "The club have put faith in me by paying a fair bit of money to sign me from Birmingham, and I don't want to let them down. That means producing on the pitch and scoring goals."
