O'Neill 'Massive Win'

Martin O'Neill hails Sunderland's "massive" win at fellow strugglers Southampton.

Martin O'Neill: "In the last three games, we've been able to win two games against sides beside us at this moment - Southampton and Reading.

"It has been a tough old season right from the start and I just feel that win, obviously before Christmas and with the programme we have coming up in the next three games, is massive for us.

"We got a bit of confidence from that, although we have a fair few games to go.

"The game was very tight as I expected it to be.

"Southampton are in really good form, particularly here, and they are on a good run at the moment.

"It is hard to say but I think we got a bit of confidence from the second-half performance at Old Trafford [last weekend despite losing 3-1 to Manchester United].

"I thought we took it into the game and started brilliantly, with Stephane Sessegnon having a great shot and the goalkeeper making a great save.

"Then the game started to develop into a bit of a pattern, with attacks by Southampton and a couple of counter-attacks by ourselves, so it was important to get the first goal.

"We got it at a great time in the game and then dealt with a second-half onslaught, which was expected.

"Southampton tried to break us down and put a few balls into the box, but I thought we dealt with them pretty okay."

Source: Sunderland-Mad