AFTER dispatching of Conference North side Northwich Victoria with relative ease yesterday, Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy was targeting a home game of much greater difficulty last night.

Premiership champions Chelsea are the Black Cats' next opponents at the Stadium of Light, when a victory is likely to be much harder to come by for McCarthy's men.

However, having gained a place in the fourth round of the FA Cup yesterday, the Sunderland boss has jokingly described how his side could have just embarked on their first winning run of the season.

"We just need to crush Chelsea now," said McCarthy. "Now that we are on a roll, after claiming a win of some sort, albeit against Northwich or whoever. It's bizarre because we are taking Northwich's stance next weekend as the underdog against Chelsea. My view is someone has to beat them."

Goals from Neill Collins, Dean Whitehead and Anthony Le Tallec secured progress against the Vics, but McCarthy also singled out goalkeeper Kelvin Davis, who made three important stops.

"It was a victory and that is all that matters," said McCarthy, whose side have not tasted triumph since beating Middlesbrough in September.

"All we could do was win the game and we have done. There were no question marks about the attitude of my players.

"It was a good cup tie and no danger of an upset. Even though Kelvin had to make three great saves."

Northwich boss Steve Burr was left to consider what might have been, but had nothing but praise for his team of part-timers.

Burr said: "I couldn't have asked for anymore. We came to have a go and we did.

"We got off to the worst possible start. That was disappointing but in saying that we could have caved in.

"It would have been nice to have scored for our fans. But they did themselves very proud."

McCarthy also reflected on another off day in front of goal for unfortunate Jon Stead by insisting his first goal for the club will come.

Stead's last goal was on April 30 in Blackburn Rovers colours and McCarthy said: "He has to keep playing like he is and causing defences problems.

"He has proven he can score at this level. He will do because he keeps creating chances. He is making the keeper work."

Reacting to reports suggesting Portsmouth are lining up a £1.5m bid for Julio Arca, McCarthy was categorical in his belief that the Argentine is 'going nowhere'.

The Sunderland boss is also thought to be in talks with Grasshoppers of Zurich midfielder Ricardo Cabanas, a Swiss international, over a move to Wearside this month.

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