Sunderland manager David Moyes admits his side’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester City was “gut-wrenching” but he was quick to take the positives from the game.
The Black Cats, priced at 3.60 to be relegated, did not make the best of starts to the match as they conceded a penalty in the fourth minute.
Sergio Aguero converted the spot-kick after Raheem Sterling was brought down by Patrick van Aanholt.
Jermain Defoe looked to have given Sunderland a share of the points in the 71st minute with a well-placed finish but a Paddy McNair own-goal late on cost Moyes’ men.
Sunderland looked organised under Moyes and the Scot did his best to remain upbeat after the full-time whistle.
He told reporters: “It was gut-wrenching. We did a great job in containing them as best we could.
We had a game plan, we knew we weren’t going to have an awful lot of the ball, and we had just about done the job – but just about is not enough.
“I’m disappointed with the way we defended the second goal. I think we backed off too much and allowed the ball to be played across the six-yard box, which made it really difficult whether it be a defender or a striker with a great chance of scoring a goal or an own goal.
“But overall I thought the players did really well. I don’t want to pat them on the back for losing, but a pat on the back would come from the way they stuck at their job, kept going and coming very close to getting a result.”
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