Sbragia blasts 'frightening' lapse

Sbragia: Displeased

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Ricky Sbragia hit out at the 'unprofessional' behaviour of his Sunderland players after they dropped two valuable points against Tottenham Hotspur.

The Black Cats took the lead after just three minutes at the Stadium of Light via an excellent run and finish from Kieran Richardson.

They looked all set for three points in a frantic encounter, but were denied in the 89th minute as Robbie Keane snatched a goal at the death.

Sbragia was left disappointed with the carelessness of his side when they won a late corner but took the set-piece long, rather than see out the game.

He told Sky Sports: "We got the goal early, and credit to Tottenham they forced the play and had a lot of possession.

"With four minutes to go we got a corner kick and we think we should just see the game out.

Survival

"Tottenham took risks and we played right into their hands. We should have taken the corner short, kept it in their area and tried to work it.

"They did the complete opposite that we were telling them. It was so unprofessional it's frightening. I'll take the point but I definitely wanted three points today.

"The left-back was in the box for the corner kick. He should never have been there. I don't know why he is there.

"I am really disappointed. I felt we should have got three points."

Sunderland now lie five points above the drop zone, with 10 games of the season remaining.

Of his side's survival hopes, Sbragia added: "I think we need six or seven points for safety, maybe more than that."

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