Larsson disappointed by City draw

Sunderland winger Sebastian Larsson claimed disappointment was still the overwhelming feeling despite scoring twice in a remarkable draw at Manchester City yesterday.

The Black Cats stunned title-chasing City at the Etihad Stadium, powering into a 3-1 lead before being pegged back by two goals from the hosts in the closing five minutes.

It was a result that satisfied neither side, with City frustrated at their failure to reclaim top spot in the Barclays Premier League and Sunderland feeling they deserved better.

Larsson told SAFC TV: “Disappointment is the first word that springs to mind and it’s a very disappointed dressing room.

“It looked like we were heading for victory, (but) they’ve had one penalty and two shots outside the box and sometimes you can’t do much about it.”

Larsson put Sunderland ahead just after the half-hour with a tidy low finish from the edge of the area.

Mario Balotelli replied with a penalty after Craig Gardner was controversially ruled to have upended Edin Dzeko, but the impressive Nicklas Bendtner headed the visitors back in front.

Bendtner then laid on the third for the inrushing Larsson at the back post.

That seemed enough for Sunderland, and Bendtner spurned a good chance to make it 4-1, but City finished strongly with long-range strikes from Balotelli and Aleksandar Kolarov in the last five minutes.

Sweden international Larsson said: “The fact that Manchester City had won 20 straight home league wins and we’re disappointed to leave with a point says something about our performance.

“All three of our goals were excellent. The second one was important, coming straight after conceding a penalty which we were unhappy with.

“We’ll probably be happy with the performance in a couple of days, but right now we’re really disappointed.

“No other team has got points here this season so we must have done something okay.”

The attacking trio of Stephane Sessegnon, Larsson and Bendtner caused problems for City throughout and manager Martin O’Neill was impressed by their efforts.

He had extra words of praise for Arsenal loanee Bendtner, who has previously not always lived up to his own hype.

O’Neill said: “They were very impressive and I thought Bendtner played as real proper centre forward, holding up, bringing people in, scoring a goal.

“Maybe with a performance like that his much self-vaunted opinion is justified.”