Elliott praised as Sunderland run continues

MICK McCARTHY saluted Stephen Elliott after a revitalised Sunderland stretched their unbeaten run with a 1-1 draw against West Ham at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

Republic of Ireland striker Elliott was singled out by McCarthy on what proved a frustrating day for his side, who led through Tommy Miller’s stroke-of-half-time goal before Yossi Benayoun’s 72nd-minute equaliser.

McCarthy paid Manchester City an initial £125,000 for the 21-year-old Dubliner at a transfer tribunal in 2004 and his 15 goals helped fire the Black Cats to the Championship title.