McCarthy Bitter And Twisted

Gary Breen had given Sunderland an early lead at the Stadium of Light and the Black Cats looked all set to claim their first three points of the campaign before Zoltan Gera equalised for the vistors in stoppage minute.

"My mother told me I would have days like this, she didn't tell me when and how many," McCarthy said after the game.

"It was game between two ordinary sides, there weren't many chances but we should have been able to deal with the time left. It was edgy but it's going to be that way.

"We should have defended the corner and quite a few things happened before that. I am very bitter and twisted, just like the fans and the players, and that has really knocked the stuffing out of everybody. We are learning, the players are having a right go and they will get better.

"Everybody is a bit anxious at 1-0, it's always a strain everywhere around the globe. We should have been able to kill the game off but you don't get much inspiration between two sides used to losing.

"I've got a fantastic bunch of players and no doubt they will play better.'"