The Sunderland goalkeeper was satisfied with his side’s performance but was bitterly disappointed after conceding late into stoppage time.
Simon Mignolet was one of the best performers on the pitch as Sunderland were held to a draw by Premier League returners West Ham United.
Martin O’Neill’s men faced the Hammers at Upton Park, but were unable to keep up their good work on the night despite taking the lead inside ten minutes.
Steven Fletcher, who arrived from http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Wolves-c40952 this summer, has been in terrific form at the Stadium of Light and has banged in several goals to justify his enormous price tag.
Under the tutelage of O’Neill, the Black Cats have been transformed into genuine contenders for a European berth, but having not secured a win this season, fate played a cruel trick on them against West Ham.
Sunderland were leading throughout the game and looked certain to pick up a win, with Mignolet in particular keeping out a barrage of attacks.
Kevin Nolan, who had a superb shot saved earlier, then had the last laugh, as he managed to get the ball homing in the closing seconds and sparked wild celebrations in London.
Devoid of a victory so far, the Wearside giants have been struggling despite the excess of talent and the latest result was a real heartbreaker, especially to Mignolet.
“I was pretty pleased with it (the save) at the time. It kept us in the game. However, as a goalkeeper, you are always frustrated when you concede. When you get into stoppage time, you shouldn’t be conceding goals.”
“After the game, you always reflect on the goals you concede rather than the saves you have made. I feel, like the rest of the lads, that if we had defended like we had for the rest of the game, we wouldn’t have conceded such a stupid goal. Then again, everyone
can be very pleased with the effort they put in and the way they performed,” the shot-stopper was quoted as saying.
Wigan Athletic are their next opponents in the Capital One Cup and considering the firepower they have at their disposal, Sunderland should come out with a win unless something goes really wrong.
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