Burnley boss Vincent Kompany gives verdict on Sunderland after Turf Moor draw
Burnley's Vincent Kompany was complimentary about Sunderland following the goalless draw in Lancashire
Burnley boss Vincent Kompany praised Sunderland as an 'exciting, young team' as the Black Cats earned a deserved point at Turf Moor. Sunderland produced a disciplined defensive performance to frustrate the runaway Championship leaders, who are on course for an immediate return to the Premier League although they still need eight more points from their remaining eight games to make mathematically certain of automatic promotion.
And Tony Mowbray's side could have won it, with substitute Amad hitting the bar while Jack Clarke saw a late 'goal' correctly ruled out for offside, although Kompany claimed that his side had had the better chances overall despite forcing Anthony Patterson into only one save of note. "It felt like it was on a knife edge for most of the game," said Kompany.
"It never felt like one team or the other was really running away with it. I'd say Sunderland played really well and made it tough for us, but my recollection now is that we had the better chances.
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"On a night like this it takes one moment to lose the game or win the game. I can't see it now, but I'm sure tomorrow I'll see it as a good result.
"Sunderland took Fulham over two games [in the FA Cup] and it was tight. These Championship teams are good - I like Sunderland, they've got an exciting young team, who can get better every week.
"We do as well. You come back from internationals, keep a clean sheet, the lads gave everything they had, and I still think we have plenty to look forward to."
Sunderland became only the third team this season to keep a clean sheet in the league against the runaway Clarets - and the first to do so at Turf Moor in almost a year, with Manchester City the last team to do so in the Premier League one year ago tomorrow - although Burnley did at least maintain their unbeaten home record. Kompany said: "I thought it was going to happen at some point.
"Sometimes it happens that the opposition finds a way, but that wasn't the case. I think my defenders will be pleased with a clean sheet and with the chances that we missed, on another day, my hope is that they go in on Friday [when Burnley visit third-placed Middlesbrough.
"I never have that feeling [of not scoring], not with that team. Never. You know that eventually it is bound to happen and then it becomes important not to lose the game.
"Was it our best game? Probably not. But as a manager you've got to be behind your team when they've given everything. That's what they did. We move on to the next game."
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