Sunderland lost Ross Stewart on deadline day but also had to deal with speculation surrounding a number of other key players, with Pierre Ekwah, Patrick Roberts, Jack Clarke and Dan Neil all linked with moves away from Wearside in the final days of the window.
But after all of those players stayed put and Sunderland added four new recruits to their squad on deadline day, the Black Cats put on a five-star against previously unbeaten Southampton.
“The result is important for the team and the spirit,” said Mowbray.
“It’s been a tough week in the build-up to it in terms of speculation around a lot of our players. In training yesterday, there were rumours about certain clubs looking at certain players and it disrupts young footballers.
“I can see them talking to each other, and yet they showed great professionalism today. We all turned up and did what we hoped we could do.
“I’m happy with the day and happy for the fans. On paper this is a really difficult game. I looked at their squad on the back of the programme and just saw name after name after name of really experienced high quality footballer.”
Sunderland got off to the perfect start, breaking the deadlock after just 52 seconds through Jack Clarke. The brilliant Ekwah doubled the lead six minutes later before adding his second goal on the stroke of half-time.
Bradley Dack scored the fourth goal just after the restart and substitute Chris Rigg rounded off the win deep in stoppage time.
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Several players impressed for Sunderland but two-goal Ekwah was the star of the show.
