Source: SKY_Sports
McCarthy - I feared penalties
enni McCarthy has admitted he was not looking forward to the prospect of a penalty shoot-out in Blackburn's FA Cup tie with Sunderland.[LNB] Wednesday's replay at Ewood Park looked set to go to penalties with the score locked at 1-1 with just minutes to go.[LNB]Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon had kept Rovers at bay with several stunning saves but McCarthy grabbed a winner in the 118th minute as he headed home Carlos Villanueva's cross.[LNB]The South African, who missed a spot-kick last week in the draw against Bolton, was delighted to find the target and set up a home tie with Coventry. [LNB]McCarthy said: "I was cr***ing myself at the thought of penalties after missing one against Bolton.[LNB]"When the goalkeeper is having a night like that, you feel he will claw away some of your spot-kicks.[LNB]"He was absolutely fantastic. If it wasn't for him, Sunderland would have lost in the 90 minutes.[LNB]"My nerves were beginning to play up but then we got the winner. It was a good free-kick by Carlos and a fantastic looping header by me."[LNB]Blackburn have been much harder to break down since Sam Allardyce was appointed as manager and McCarthy also feels their attacking play is starting to come together.[LNB]He said: "We have great depth in our squad. That was clear against Sunderland as the manager made a lot of changes but we still got the victory.[LNB]"We defended very well and made few mistakes. That was the key for us and we do create a lot of chances."[LNB]
