JULIO ARCA last night slammed referee Paul Danson and accused the controversial official of being intimidated into him sending off at Bramall Lane.

Arca will be suspended for the game with Walsall on October 18 after he was dismissed for two bookable offences on Saturday.

But the Sunderland defender claimed Danson crumbled under pressure from United supporters after he was penalised for a foul on Paul Peschisolido.

Arca said: "I just nudged Peschisolido with my shoulder and the crowd screamed for a foul, and I think it made the referee reach for the card.

"I feared it would happen when the crowd shouted - you must expect it when you play away from home.

"I have no complaints about the first booking, but I don't think I deserved a second booking."

Meanwhile, Mart Poom has saluted Mick McCarthy for helping Sunderland's much-changed squad to bond so quickly.

The celebrations that followed the 1-0 victory in South Yorkshire underlined the spirit that exists in the Stadium of Light camp. Poom was the last player off the pitch after saluting the huge travelling army, while Gary Breen punched the air in jubilation to mark the win.

But the goalkeeper reckons their never-say-die attitude owes much to McCarthy's influence.

Poom said: "The squad is a lot different from last season, the group of players want to do their best, and we have a good fighting spirit.

"The manager has done a great job. He's passionate and he wants us to be the same way.

"I'm sure it will continue like that, and if you stick together through good and bad times you've got a good chance of doing well.

"Every player is determined to play for Sunderland and they all need to fight their corner.

"It's a very tight League. To give yourself a chance, first and foremost you've got to match the effort and the fight from your opponents.

"The game here is more direct and less skillful than the Premiership.

"There are more long balls and scraps for 50-50 challenges. If you're able to stand up to the opposition, you then need to try to nick a goal, like we did at Sheffield United."

Read more about Sunderland here.