Black Cats heading in right direction - Gordon
GOALKEEPER Craig Gordon says Sunderland's disappointment at their Manchester City heartache proves they are moving in the right direction.
The 27-year-old Scotland international's heroics kept the world's richest club at bay on Sunday, until boyhood Black Cats fan Adam Johnson came off the bench to snatch a point with a dramatic late equaliser.
However, despite seeing back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time in 48 games wrenched from their grasp, the Wearsiders extended their recent run to just one defeat in seven outings, a return which has eased them seven points clear of the drop zone.
Gordon said: "I think it tells you a lot about the improvement we have made that we are disappointed to have only taken a point from a team like Man City.
"We would have accepted a point before the game, and with the chances they created in the second half you would not begrudge City the point.
"But it is disappointing again to go so close to a win and drop points very late in the game.
"Overall, I think we are playing a lot better and can feel reasonably confident for the home game against Birmingham on Saturday."
Last-gasp goals have cost Sunderland dear this season, Steve Bruce's side surrendering 10 points in the closing stages of games.
However, Johnson's injury-time strike was just the fifth goal they have conceded in the last seven games, a testament to the new-found resilience of Gordon and the men in front of him.
Gordon in particular was in fine form as City recovered from a ponderous start during which Kenwyne Jones headed the home side into a deserved ninth-minute lead.
They defended it resolutely until the 91st minute, Gordon denying Craig Bellamy three times and also keeping out efforts from Roque Santa Cruz, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Carlos Tevez.
However, the 9m man modestly played down his role, saying: "City had us under pressure for pretty much all of the second half, and I had to make a few saves, but that's what I'm there for.
"We have not been allowing too many chances against us of late, and I think that's down to the back four knowing each other better from playing alongside each other."
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Weather for South Shields
Saturday 11 February 2012
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