Crewe Alexandra boss has this emphatic verdict on 'terrific' Sunderland after League One clash

The Railwaymen have made a solid start on their return to League One, and have faced some highly-rated sides in Hull City, Charlton Athletic and Blackpool.

Though the Black Cats were eventually only narrow winners at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday night, thanks to an own goal from Ryan Wintle on the stroke of half time, they dominated the contest and had numerous opportunities to extend their lead.

Crewe boss Artell admitted his side had been outplayed by a ‘terrific team’.

“I cannot fault the effort and endeavour of the players but sometimes you have to hold your hands up and say you have been beaten by the better side,” he said.

“Sunderland are the best team we have faced this season by a distance. They are a terrific team and have good players. Their staff were complimentary about us as well. We stuck at it and kept in the game but did we do enough to deserve an equaliser? I don’t think so.

“We gave ourselves a lot of work to do in the first half because we kept shelling the ball and had to do a lot of running. We altered some little things at half time and we improved. We gave it a go in the last 20 minutes or so but didn’t test their goalkeeper enough.

“They didn’t control the game as much in the second half as they did in the first half but fair play to Sunderland they deserve the points this evening. At 1-0, you are always in the game and we could have nicked one but we only had bits and bobs.”

Sunderland’s inability to take their chances kept Crewe in the game, and though they had moments where they threatened the home side, Parkinson’s team were largely in control.

“The players are disappointed because that is the second game running where the opposition have had more of the ball but I’ve told them that’s League One and they have to get used to it because there are going to be some good teams,” Artell said.

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