O´Neill hails Mignolet heroics

Sunderland boss Martin O’Neill praised goalkeeper Simon Mignolet after his stunning double save denied Everton victory in their FA Cup tie.

Mignolet helped Sunderland salvage a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park on Saturday after denying Johnny Heitinga and Nikica Jelavic in quick succession in the dying stage of their quarter-final clash.

Everton had been the better team after Phil Bardsley scored the opener for Sunderland, but could only manage one goal, from Australian Tim Cahill, as the visitors hung on for a draw.

O’Neill said: “I think we started the game brilliantly, got the goal and we were playing very well.”

“The equaliser knocked us back, we lost a bit of confidence with it. There was a big surge from the home crowd.”

“I thought the second half could have gone either way but they pressed us more towards the end of the game. I am delighted we are still in the hat, I probably would have taken that at the start of the game.”

“I thought it was a magnificent double save, really brilliant. I think if we had been beaten there I would have been really disappointed. I wouldn’t have been sure we deserved to be beaten.”

“I think on reflection a draw was probably a fair result.”

Everton assistant manager Steve Round was frustrated at not winning the match after creating a number of fine chances.

“We thought we did everything we could in the second half except stick the ball in the net,” Round said.

“We piled on the pressure and had opportunity after opportunity, culminating in that double save, which was tremendous from their perspective.”

“The lads are disappointed in there that we couldn’t turn pressure into a goal.”

“It took us a while to get a foothold but the last 20 minutes of the first half and all the second half, I thought we were terrific and unfortunate not to win.”

Everton were also disappointed Royston Drenthe was not awarded a penalty four minutes before Bardsley opened the scoring, with replays suggesting the Dutchman should have been awarded a spot kick after being brought down by Craig gardner.

Round said: “It was a clear foul. Maybe it was too early for the referee but he was right there on the spot and we don’t know why he didn’t give it.”

“I thought Roy (Drenthe) didn’t get much of the rub of the green. I thought he was fouled on numerous occasions.”

“Whether they think he is diving or not – obviously he isn’t because he is getting fouled.”

“He is so small, he hits the deck. We are a little disappointed he didn’t get more fouls than we expected.”