BEFORE Sunderland's FA Cup tie with Crystal Palace, Mick McCarthy claimed there was little to choose between the bottom six of the Premiership and top six of the Championship.

On Saturday's evidence this is undoubtedly the case and although there was little to choose between the teams, the Championship side clearly deserved the victory over their Premiership counterparts.

Crystal Palace manager Iain Dowie admitted it was his side's worst performance since he came to the club 13 months ago. And he might argue that it would be unreasonable to make that sort of an assessment on Saturday's woeful showing, given the Eagles' had comprehensively defeated Aston Villa the previous week.

But to say Palace failed to turn up for the tie would be unfair to the Black Cats' performance and overall supremacy.

The Wearsiders took the game by the scruff of the neck from the first whistle and should have had the tie wrapped up within 12 minutes of the start - had Andy Welsh not crashed a volley against the crossbar from six yards, and Marcus Stewart not tamely headed Sean Thornton's superb free-kick into goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly's arms.

That Palace opened the scoring against the run of play was unjust, although it should be noted their best players, Wayne Routledge and Andy Johnson contrived to score it, despite not being at their best.

Palace were relegation favourites before a ball had been kicked at the start of the new campaign.

The fact they lie just above the drop zone and not languishing at the foot of the table is a testament to Dowie's nous as a manager, given the resources and the players he has had at his disposal.

Should Sunderland gain promotion they, too, would be favourites for the drop, but that is not to say they would drop down.

It could be argued the Black Cats are a better position to cement a place in the Premiership than their Palace counterparts.

Unlike Dowie, McCarthy has several players at his disposal with Premiership experience and several with overwhelming potential. George McCartney, Stephen Elliott, and Dean Whitehead come into the later category.

Goalkeepers Thomas Myhre and Mart Poom certainly have the necessary quality. Defenders Stephen Wright, Gary Breen and Stephen Caldwell all have top-flight know-how, as do strikers Michael Bridges and Marcus Stewart.

Julio Arca has unquestionable Premiership class, and on this showing, Andy Welsh is an able deputy.

Sean Thornton had a superb game and has every chance of being a top player - if he applies himself.

The Black Cats have been screaming for a player of his craft all season, yet his skills have been rotting in the reserves.

The Irishman took the game by the scruff of the neck, especially in the latter stages, and his skill and industry should have been rewarded with a goal after two mazy runs left the Eagles' heads spinning. But whether the 21-year-old midfielder wants it badly enough only time will tell.

Neill Collins is another who could make the leap.

Facing the Premiership's in form striker Andy Johnson, Collins was unfazed by a task, which would have daunted most players of his inexperience.

The 22-year-old's calm authority under pressure provided a sense of security that spread throughout Sunderland's back four and provided a foundation for their victory.

With only half of the season gone, the Wearsiders still have it all to do before they can even think about how they are going to stay in the Premiership. But don't back against it.

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