Roy Keane's men were lacklustre yesterday as a first home defeat of the year – 1-0 to Champions League-chasing Everton – left them only two points and two places above the drop zone.

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And Richardson confessed that an injury-ravaged campaign had left him short of sharpness.

"I've only played nine games all season – it's been stop start," said the £5.5million summer signing from Manchester United.

"That's not good because you need to be at your fittest and sharpest in this league. I'm still looking for my match fitness and the quicker it comes the better.

"I definitely need more games, but the only way forward for me and all of the lads is to get our heads down and work very hard towards our next game."

Sunderland were undone by something of a fluke yesterday after Everton striker Andrew Johnson saw the only goal of the game deflect home off his arm.

Keane started the game with Kenwyne Jones in a lone striking role. And the home side had offered little as an attacking threat until a late flurry – which saw Toffees keeper Tim Howard acrobatically deny sub Andy Reid – proved too little, too late.

Richardson said: "Everton were hard to break down. The effort was definitely there from us, but Everton are up there challenging for Europe because they are organised and are a tough side.

"It must have been hard for Kenwyne. He's a big player for us but being up front on his own, it's hard to keep knocking balls up to him because we have a lot of ground to cover to get up in support. That's something we have to work on.

"We weren't outclassed in the game and neither keeper had a lot to do, but the bottom line is we've lost and we're still in a tight position."

Jones has now gone nine games without scoring. But Richardson insisted: "Kenwyne's a great striker and I'm sure the goals will come soon because you can't keep a good player down."

Chelsea are the next visitors to the Stadium of Light on Saturday and Richardson knows's Avram Grant's side will be smarting from their FA Cup quarter-final exit at the hands of Barnsley.

"Barnsley got in Chelsea's faces and scored a great goal," said the Sunderland midfielder.

"Every team in the Premier League is beatable and that's the fantastic thing about this league."