Phil Parkinson reacts to Benji Kimpioka's late equaliser against Coventry after another poor Sunderland display

Phil Parkinson said Sunderland were ‘masters of their own downfall’ in the first half at the Stadium of Light before Benji Kimpioka rescued a late point.
Benji Kimpioka scores a late equaliser for Sunderland.Benji Kimpioka scores a late equaliser for Sunderland.
Benji Kimpioka scores a late equaliser for Sunderland.

Sunderland’s unbeaten record on home soil looked to be coming to an end, another desperately poor performance saw them trailing thanks to Dominic Hyam’s first half header.

Sunderland were flat and lacking intensity in the opening 15 minutes of the second half with frustrations on the terraces, with boos at half-time and at times during the second half.

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Sub Kimpioka came on for Grigg and helped rescue a point, a point that Parkinson felt his side deserved.

Sunderland are 10th after this point, three points adrift of the play-offs with a game in hand.

Reflecting on the late equaliser, Parkinson said: “It was a big moment for us.

“I am delighted for Benji and the team, over the balance of the game we deserved something from it, the goal just wouldn’t come.

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“It was a calm finish, he backs himself and it is a confident finish.

“He is a confident lad anyway, since I have been here, the limited time training with him, he is starting to show more end product.

“When I first came in there was a lot of step-overs. If we had a seven a side in training, how many shots can you get away and goals can you score? He is working at that.

“It was a calm finish from him and he will feel ten foot tall tonight.”

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On the game, Parkinson added: “First half at times we were the masters of our own downfall with some careless passing and gave the ball away cheaply. At other periods we played well and switched it quickly.

“Even their goal, it was a poor moment from us, a backpass which resulted in a corner.

“I was pleased we kept going, showed bravery to keep playing and that is really important. We went a goal down at home, had some pressure on us because of the cups.

“But no one shied away from receiving the ball, the moment came for us and the teams effort and bravery to keep playing deserved that moment.”