MICHAEL BRIDGES' goals are like buses, you never see one for ages and then two come along all at once.

The fans' favourite made only his second start for the Black Cats since his return to the club in August and capped a memorable day by scoring one goal and making another. There was some suggestion Liam Lawrence got the winner in their hard-fought 2-1 victory at the weekend, and referee Dermot Gallagher had indeed awarded the goal to the former Mansfield Town man.

But Bridges was adamant it was his to claim - something the television replays later verified. "If you think I'm waiting another four years before I get another goal you have no hope," said the former Leeds United striker.

"Me and Liam were having a bit of banter on the pitch but I've seen it (on the video) downstairs so I'm delighted to get a touch and claim it.

"The manager asked me whether I scored when I came off, which I did, so he told Lenny (Lawrence) he could 'shove it' in the dressing room.

"I got a one-yard header down at Stoke and I'll take this one-yard tap in here too."

Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy supported his striker's claim on the goal.

He said: "There was some suggestion that he said Liam Lawrence could have it. Bloody hell! You don't score one goal in four-and-a half years and say that, you give nothing away.

"There were four others in the dressing room who said they'd have it too. It was Bridgey's goal; he got a touch I'm convinced. I think Dermot (Gallagher) has given Liam it but Bridgey got the touch."

Bridges says he was reasonably happy with his own performance but believes he can get better with a run of games in the side. The striker was understandably buzzing after the game and revealed how important the win was to keep the pressure on the top two.

He added: "The lads have produced a great result and it was a massive three points because the other two teams (Ipswich and Wigan) play on Tuesday night and we've put the pressure on them.

"I was happy to play a part in Julio's (Arca) goal and getting a goal myself but I still think I could be holding the ball up better, but that will come with more starts.

"I thought it was a brave decision for the gaffer to drop Stevie Elliott because he has been banging them in. But he thought he needed a rest.

"Then he's brought me and Browny (Chris Brown) off after we've done a job and then he's brought on another two strikers with their capabilities at the end, which is fantastic, so fair play to the gaffer.

"I'd waited so long to score a goal but I haven't had that many games in the last few years due to injury but I'm absolutely buzzing. To get a goal at Stoke and then one against Burnley, it breeds confidence, and that's what I've needed to get them coming on a regular basis.

"The gaffer didn't think I was ready last week but he has put me in this week so he must have thought I have done enough in training, so I'm delighted."

Sunderland's victory on Saturday, their fifth in sixth games, means they are now level on points with second placed Ipswich and just one point off leaders Wigan, who play each other tomorrow.

Bridges and several of his colleagues this week have pointed to the club's team spirit as one of the contributing factors to Sunderland's success this season.

The 26-year-old striker revealed Sean Thornton was the latest victim of the Black Cats' hit squad after Saturday's game. "You know everyone goes on about the team banter here, well some of the lads have just cut up Thorny's clothes, which he's not too happy about," Bridges laughed.

"But everyone is in good spirit and that was a massive result going into the Christmas period because we have some massive games coming up over the Christmas and New Year.

"To get the three points was a massive buzz and we were all chanting after the game."

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