Pressure on top two, McCarthy

Last night's 2-1 win over Gillingham took the Black Cats to fourth in the table, and moved them to within eight points of the joint league leaders.

McCarthy's side still have a game in hand on the two clubs and, with both still to visit the Stadium of Light this season, automatic promotion remains a tantalising prospect.

The Black Cats boss would rather have the points in the bag but, with his side continuing to produce the goods on the pitch, he is refusing to rule out the possibility of a late surge into a top-two finish.

"We're getting nearer the top two," said McCarthy. "But, if I was in their position, I'd certainly be happier with the points I had.

"Having said that though, they've been there for a long time this season and so the odd nagging doubt is bound to creep in.

"You don't want those negative thoughts affecting you, but they'll be looking over their shoulders a bit now."

Sean Thornton set Sunderland on their way to victory last night with a fine 12th-minute free-kick but, after Patrick Agyemang fired Gillingham level, the Black Cats were grateful for Darren Byfield's third goal in the last three games after the break.

Byfield's winner came after Tommy Smith had replaced Kevin Kyle at the break, and McCarthy was quick to praise his second-half strikeforce.

"Darren was lively and bright," he said. "And he really took the fight to them. He took his goal brilliantly and I was delighted for him.

"Tommy's been a real livewire for us in recent weeks, even though he hasn't been starting every game.

"I've explained to him that I've left him out with a view to getting him even sharper. Darren's looked sharp after I've left him out in the past and maybe it's Kevin Kyle's turn now.

"Kevin wasn't quite at his best, but he's been feeling the effects of a nasty bout of gastroentiritis at the weekend and I think that told."

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