"A comfortable win" - Mick

Mick McCarthy pronounced himself pleased with Sunderland's 3-0 win over Chester City tonight, saying it was a comfortable win for his side.

"We're not getting carried away," the gaffer said, "but I'm pleased to be in the next round and pleased to have won the game. Once we got the first goal, I don't think it was ever in doubt."

McCarthy praised his midfield, with particular focus on Sean Thornton and new boy Dean Whitehead.

"Sean Thornton did well but he was better when he went out wide in the second half. Sean's a flair player, I'm fully aware of that, he offers me something different but you need that work ethic. You have to earn the right to play.

"We started to win tackles when Dean Whitehead went into the middle - he gets round the pitch well."

"You need a solid base through the middle. That's why Jeff Whitley plays every week and that's why Carl Robinson and Dean Whitehead play there."

The draw for the second round of the Carling Cup will be made on Wednesday evening.

Sunderland: Myhre (Poom 61), Breen, Lynch, Caldwell, Robinson, Thornton, Oster, Whitehead, Arca (Lawrence 76), Kyle, Stewart (Elliott 72).

Subs not used: Collins, Brown.

Goals: Hessey 41 OG, Kyle 55, Caldwell 69.

Att: 11,450

Ref: G Salisbury.