Derby boss Nigel Clough praised his side's qualities after they conquered rivals Birmingham 3-2 in a five-goal thriller.
A Conor Sammon brace and a late winner by substitute Nathan Tyson secured the spoils, after the Blues twice came back through a Marlon King penalty and a Peter Lovenkrands header.
"It's about character, determination and it's also honesty as much as anything from the players," Clough said.
"Their honesty is incredible. They never give up, they keep going and keep trying to do the right things. I thought the manner of the third goal was as good as anything.
"It was a brilliant goal, it came from the right, was dotted across and ended with a sidefoot and a tap-in inside the six-yard box, not many goals finish like
that."
Clough was also delighted for Sammon, who had scored only twice in his previous 44 matches.
"He's not renowned for his goalscoring and we didn't bring him in for that but hopefully this will give him a big boost," he added.
"He deserved to get two goals because he led the line brilliantly."
Reports had claimed that O'Neill had offered to quit his post as Sunderland boss following Saturday's 4-2 home defeat by high-flying West Brom.
However, Sky Sports is reporting that the Black Cats have dismissed the speculation and have confirmed that the Northern Irishman remains in charge on Wearside.
O'Neill is approaching his first anniversary as Black Cats boss after signing a three-year contract to replace Steve Bruce at the helm last December.
He enjoyed an immediate impact in guiding Sunderland away from the relegation zone, but has seen his team win just two of their last 20 Premier League games.
The Black Cats were also knocked out of the Capital One Cup at home by local rivals Middlesbrough last month and have won just once in the league in front of their own supporters this season.
Speaking after the loss against West Brom, which saw Sunderland score twice in a game at home for the first time in the Premier League this term, O'Neill was staying upbeat.
He said: "I think there's a lot to take out of the match, a lot to take out of it.
"We have been beaten, but we look as if we can maybe get a goal again now, which is very encouraging.
"We have a big game on Tuesday night against QPR and we will try to get ourselves prepared for that."
Rovers boss McGhee and Bantams chief Parkinson were speaking after an injury-time melee involving players and staff from both teams marred Saturday's League Two clash at the Memorial Stadium.
The dust-up was prompted by a rash challenge from Rovers' Seanan Clucas right in front of the dug-outs, yet he somehow escaped punishment even though he has already been booked.
Referee David Phillips instead dismissed Bradford midfielder Nathan Doyle for retaliation and, after some delay, issued a second yellow to Brown after consulting a linesman and the fourth official.
Rovers boss Mark McGhee said: "If Wayne deserved to go it must have been for something he did in the melee, He isn't the biggest, so perhaps he punched someone in the kneecap!
"Seanan might easily have been punished for the tackle, but we will have to see what the ref says in his report. As things stand, Wayne will miss our next game."
Bradford boss Parkinson was equally mystified. "It was a bad challenge and what my lad has done to be sent off I'm not sure. You always get a reaction to that sort of tackle. I think it was a case of mistaken identity with the Rovers lad, so the ref seemed to get it all wrong."
