O’Neill: ‘We gave away some crazy goals’

Martin O’Neill was keen to take the positives from a spirited defeat by West Bromwich Albion this afternoon as Sunderland went down 4-2.

Goals from Zoltan Gera and Shane Long put Albion 2-0 up before Craig Gardner got one back.

Romelu Lukaku’s penalty looked to have sealed a comfortable win before Stephane Sessegnon pulled another goal back for the Lads.

Speaking to safc.com, O’Neill admitted his side had defended poorly.

“We gave some crazy goals away today but there was a big fightback from us in the second half,’ conceded O’Neill.

The gaffer continued: “We reacted strongly in the second half. We put absolutely and utterly everything into the game and almost forced a third goal just before they scored.

“For them to be awarded a penalty when we had the impetus didn`t help. It did knock us back but we came back again – we showed spirit and fight,’ admitted the Ulsterman.