Sunderland were beaten 1-0 by Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium last night.
David Moyes has told the Sunderland Echo that there is no reason for Sunderland fans to have criticised his side last night.
Sunderland were beaten 1-0 by Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium, and the atmosphere in the away end was one of sheer frustration.
Sunderland fans chanted criticism at their own team, and even sung Roy Keane’s name – in a show of anger at Moyes’ management.
The Black Cats fell behind early on in the contest, when Marten De Roon hit the back of the net for the hosts, and Sunderland rarely threatened to score after that moment.
The Black Cats’ slim hopes of surviving are now all but over, with the Wearsiders sat 12 points adrift of safety.
However, Moyes insists that Sunderland did not deserve any criticism for their performance last night.
“The players kept at it and never gave in. While there’s a chance we all have to keep going, we’re not enjoying losing or the position we’re in,” Moyes said.
“Criticism is rightly due but not on tonight’s performance, players have stuck at it and shown they’re capable of trying to get points and win games.
“We could have criticism in other games which was right, but tonight and against West Ham United we played well.
“It wasn’t for the lack of want or trying, players fantastic in effort they put in but came up short.”
Moyes’ comments have caused bewilderment among Sunderland fans, who cannot believe their manager’s positivity.
Sunderland have just five games remaining to play this season, with their next contest coming against Bournemouth at the weekend.
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