O'Neill satisfied with Christmas points haul

Martin O'Neill last night admitted he was happy with his side's Christmas points haul, despite watching his side succumb to a 3-0 defeat by Liverpool.

The Black Cats recorded two wins and two defeats between December 22 and January 2, with six points moving the Lads up to 14th in the Premier League table.

Liverpool were in rampant mood at Anfield last night despite Sunderland creating several noteworthy chances of their own and probably feeling hard done-by not to have scored.

Raheem Sterling got the Reds' opener inside the opening 20 minutes before Luis Suarez took his personal league tally to 15 goals with strikes in the 26th and 52nd minute.

Speaking afterwards to BBC Sport, O'Neill said his side could have got more out of the game:

'At half time in the game we felt as if we could have got a goal and we perhaps created the better chances, but we were unable to take them,' contended the Ulsterman.

'They got the third goal and that was important.

'If we scored before then it would have got us back into the game but at 3-0, Liverpool are very strong.'

Sunderland face Bolton Wanderers next in the F.A Cup 3rd Round.

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.