McCarthy relieved as Black Cats end drought

SUNDERLAND manager Mick McCarthy was a happy man after seeing his side end their 14-game wait for a victory by dumping Conference North side Northwich out of the FA Cup.

Before kick-off, the Black Cats had not won a match in any competition since defeating Middlesbrough 2-0 at the Riverside in September but ran out 3-0 victors on a day when they could have routed their opponents.

Asked if it was the manner of the victory as much as the fact of it that pleased him, McCarthy replied: “It’s the victory.