Martin O'Neill: No excuse for loss

Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill has claimed that there can be no excuses for his side's 2-0 loss to Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday evening.

Goals from Junior Hoilett and Yakubu condemned the Black Cats to defeat at Ewood Park and O'Neill believes that Saturday's 1-1 FA Cup draw with Everton does not excuse his side's poor performance.

O'Neill told BBC Sport: "I think we should have played better and could have played better but we didn't do. The FA Cup game was a contributing factor but it's not an excuse.

"Games come thick and fast, it was a very intense game on Saturday but it's not a good enough excuse."

Sunderland are currently ninth in the Premier League.