GIVEN the week manager Mick McCarthy has endured at Sunderland, his fury had still not cooled after watching his side claim a deserved point against Champions League chasing Tottenham yesterday.

Daryl Murphy's first goal for the Black Cats since his summer switch from the League of Ireland a minute before time clinched a point that has more worth in pride than value attached to it, with 16 points still separating them from safety.

But there was still enough time for that point to have been snatched away from Sunderland had former Newcastle midfielder Jermaine Jenas not fired over from eight yards with the goal at his mercy.

On reflection McCarthy, who is still aggrieved at the way he was perceived in the press for quotes claiming he already had relegation in mind in the summer, opened the gate for more ambiguity regarding his position.

"Had we lost that it would have been the final nail in my coffin," said McCarthy. "It's been a great week for misinterpreting and I'll leave it for people to interpret things how they want. They'll probably get it wrong."

But, because Jenas missed and failed to build on Robbie Keane's first half strike, Sunderland didn't lose and they avoided defeat for only the fifth time from 25 league matches.

And McCarthy, who hopes his side can take another step towards reaching the initial 20-point target he has set at Blackburn on Wednesday, feels a draw was a fair reflection on proceedings. He paid particular tribute to Murphy and young midfielder Grant Leadbitter.

"We absolutely deserved it," he said. "Up until they scored it looked like a nil-nil draw. We had both been as good as each other. The difference between the sides above us and us is that they score when opportunities arise. But we deserved the point.

"Daryl did well and he deserved to get the equaliser and will get the plaudits, but I thought Grant was fantastic too. Grant went in and rattled Edgar Davids (the Tottenham and Holland midfielder) and set the tone for the rest of the half. We had to try to achieve that and we did."

Large sections of the supporters called for chairman Bob Murray to sell up during yesterday's draw but they were left celebrating at the end when Sunderland secured a rare point.

Sunderland have now reached double figures in terms of points for the first time this season and McCarthy believes the supporters got behind their team.

"I have just said Europe here we come," said McCarthy. "The more points we get the better it is for everyone.

"I don't intentionally send them home grumpy but it's a nicer feeling to have them chanting for us and going home happy. They have been brilliant throughout the game.

"How many clubs would have had that many fans here when they are in this sort of position? In terms of effort, the fans couldn't have got any more from the players."

Where McCarthy's men view yesterday as a success, Tottenham boss Martin Jol sees failure to win on Wearside as a reality check.

Spurs are five points clear of fifth placed Arsenal in the race for the Champions League places and feels a trip to the Stadium of Light should have been a sure victory.

"It is two points dropped. We are still not a top side," said Jol. "All the teams around us dropped points and we need a cushion. We are stronger than we were so hopefully we can respond to this and win our next few games.

"You play against Sunderland who are maybe relegated already. They have nothing to lose and they pressurised us like a side with nothing to lose. We deserved not to win."

Defender George McCartney, ruled out with a hip problem, is battling to be fit to face Blackburn on Wednesday night.

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