Sunderland FC

• Nickname:
• Founded:1879
• Manager:Steve Bruce

• Ground:
• Capacity:NaN

Sbragia: Styles off the hook

08 Feb 2009 - 12:04:42

Click To Enlarge

Sunderland boss Ricky Sbragia claimed referee Rob Styles was let off the hook following his side's 2-0 victory over Stoke City.

The Black Cats were furious after Styles failed to spot a clear handball on the goal-line from Danny Pugh when he blocked Steed Malbranque's first-half header with the game goalless.

However, second-half strikes from Kenwyne Jones and substitute David Healy secured the points for the Wearsiders and left Sbragia in conciliatory mood.

"He didn't give it. I'm disappointed, but I don't want to get into trouble for saying what I think," he said.

"We just had to get on with it and focus on the game. He didn't give it but he is off the hook. If it had ended 0-0, we might have complained a little bit more about it.

"We're getting a little bit more difficult to beat. It's important to beat the teams around us.

"Kenwyne is still getting fit but he's a handful and he got the goal he deserved today.

"I'd have been happy with 1-0 but credit to David Healy, he sniffed an opportunity and put it away

"Today was really important for us. We needed three points to give us the cushion because we've now got two really difficult games away from home."