Mick: "We were the best team"

Mick McCarthy has defended his players after Sunderland had to settle for a point at The Hawthorns.

And he admitted that although goals are hard to come by at the moment, he hasn't given up hope.

"We were by far the best team, we caused them considerable problems - and we had all the chances.

"We're not scoring - but I'm confident the goals will come if we can keep playing like that.

"Kevin Kyle and Marcus Stewart were great - they worked tremendously hard.

And McCarthy said that West Brom's midweek endeavours in the Carling Cup, taking Newcastle into extra time, might have played into Sunderland's hands.

"West Brom had a tough game in midweek at Newcastle and they would have been much harder to play against if it had not been for that. I think it took its toll on them.

"We should certainly have won. All my players feel sick and annoyed about not winning and that is nice."

Baggies' boss Gary Megson agreed with that, saying "We looked shattered - we were a yard off the pace.

"It was a lot to ask the lads after two hours at Newcastle to come up against a very good team like Sunderland.

"I think most teams would have lost that game."