Keane tells Sunderland to learn lessons of derby draw Written by: AFP  |  |
| | Sunderland manager Roy Keane, seen here in August 2007, says he is looking forward to experiencing his first North East derby against Newcastle.. Passions are guaranteed to run high when Sunderland and Newcastle lock horns and Keane and his Newcastle counterpart Sam Allardyce will experience one of the Premier League´s most bitter rivalries. |
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SUNDERLAND (AFP) - Roy Keane admitted Sunderland had been taught a harsh lesson about life in the Premier League after they blew the chance to beat local rivals Newcastle.
Keane's side were on course for their first home victory in the Tyne-Wear derby for 27 years when Danny Higginbotham headed them into a 52nd minute lead.
But the hosts allowed Newcastle to level 13 minutes later when James Milner's cross crept in at the far post.
Sunderland should still have taken the points but Kenwyne Jones missed a glorious chance and Michael Chopra hit the bar.
It was harsh on the Black Cats but Keane insisted his players must realise Premier League opponents will hit back if they don't kill them off.
"The beauty of the Premiership is if you don't take your chances it will come back to haunt you and that's what happened," Keane said.
"We can talk all day about luck but the players had the chances. We keep getting these lessons in the Premiership.
"That will only change with experience. We've got a lot of players who haven't played in the Premiership before. These are lessons you have to learn and you have to learn them quickly."
Sunderland are slipping down the table after a run of seven matches without a win, but Keane is convinced his team will turn it around.
"I think Sam (Allardyce) will be slightly happier than me today," he said. "I thought the overall performance was oustanding.
"A few things are going against us but I've got great belief in the players. If we keep playing like that we will have a decent season."
Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce was relieved to avoid defeat after a disappointing recent run.
He conceded his side had started badly but was encouraged by the way they battled back.
"We deserved it because of our response after we went a goal down. It was what I was looking for from the start," he said.
"It's a little bit more acceptable if you come back from a goal down away from home in a derby game and get a draw.
"It's a big local derby and we haven't lost. That's very important for the fans.
"Up until the goal Sunderland had out-muscled us and we couldn't get our passing game going.
"Their goal was disappointing. We can't afford to keep giving silly mistakes away."