"Saved me" - Chris Rigg sends message to Sunderland AFC match-winner Jobe Bellingham | OneFootball

Chris Rigg has lauded Jobe Bellingham in the wake of Sunderland's 3-2 comeback victory over Swansea City

Chris Rigg has issued praise and thanks to Sunderland teammate Jobe Bellingham, who scored the game's winning goal in a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory at Swansea City on Saturday afternoon.

The Black Cats returned to third place in the Championship and are just two points shy of second-placed Leeds United after snatching all three points in a thrilling encounter at the Swansea.com Stadium.

Regis Le Bris' side have endured tough form as of late amid an unprecedented injury crisis, with recent setbacks to the likes of Romaine Mundle and Tommy Watson testing Sunderland's resolve.

Before Saturday's trip to South Wales, they had won just one of their previous eight games but managed to return to winning ways as Bellingham helped to overturn a two-goal deficit.

Sunderland are next in action at home to Norwich City next weekend, where they will be looking to keep the momentum going.

Jobe Bellingham provides match-winning moment for Sunderland v Swansea City

10th-placed Swansea headed into the lead within the opening five minutes when Slovenian striker Zan Vipotnik cleanly volleyed past Anthony Patterson after meeting Harry Darling's header.

The Jack Army continued to test Sunderland and doubled their advantage before the 20 minute mark through Liam Cullen, whose powerful free-kick smashed the underside of the bar on its way in to make it 2-0.

But Sunderland clawed a goal back shortly after as Daniel Ballard halved the defecit with a diving header from Trai Hume's score.

They then overturned the deficit in the 73rd minute when captain Dan Neil beat Lawrence Vigouroux with a stunning effort from outside the area, which found its way into the top-left corner and duly sent the travelling supporters into raptures.

Sunderland's work was not done there and just two minutes later, they found a winner as Bellingham coolly slotted past Vigouroux after connecting with Rigg's delivery into the area, ensuing wild celebrations in the away end infront of the goal.

Chris Rigg's message to Jobe Bellingham following Sunderland's Swansea City comeback win

Rigg, who played through fellow Black Cats midfield prodigy Bellingham for the emphatic match-winning strike, took time to laud and thank his teammate afterwards.

The young duo, aged just 17 and 19 respectively, have struck up a top-class partnership on the pitch this season, but their connection evidently extends beyond that, too.

Bellingham, who also set up Neil's equaliser before being assisted by Rigg, was the finest player on the pitch yesterday, continuing his stellar Sunderland form this season.

After the match, Rigg wrote via his official Instagram page: "Got me an assist and saved me from a broken back🤣❤️what a guy @jobebellingham"

That was in response to a video published by Sunderland of Bellingham's winner and the celebrations which followed, as the players mobbed together to celebrate wildly infront of the travelling fans.