McCarthy 'starting to feel the heat'

Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy admits he is feeling the pressure of being at the “wrong end of the table” but refuses to accept tomorrow’s home game with Portsmouth should already be billed as a relegation scrap.

The Black Cats have won only one of their first 10 matches on their return to the Premiership – the derby at Middlesbrough – and have taken just two points from five home matches.