Eriksson eyeing European place after scrappy win

AFP - 13 April 2008 02:54

Sunderland´s midfielder Michael Chopra (R) tries to catch Manchester City´s defender Sun Jihai during their Premier league football match at The Sadium Of Light in Sunderland. Manchester City won the match 2-1.

SUNDERLAND, England (AFP) - Sven-Goran Eriksson was left dreaming of European football next season, albeit by taking one of the less well-travelled roads into continental competition, after Manchester City's 2-1 victory over Sunderland gave them a first away victory since February.

City's exemplary disciplinary record could yet see the club claim a place in next season's UEFA Cup via the Fair Play league - even if their Premier League performances fall short.

Eriksson may have overseen a win at the Stadium of Light but a poor display bore no resemblance to the vibrant football his players served up before Christmas. Nevertheless, results are what matter and City consolidated eighth place on the back of a contentious penalty and a scuffed winning goal.

The game was goalless until 11 minutes from time when City's Brazil star Elano scored from the spot.

Sunderland hit back minutes later through Dean Whitehead before England striker Darius Vassell restored City's lead in the 87th minute.

"The winning goal was not one of the greatest strikes I've ever seen in my life but it went in," said Eriksson.

"And of course there was a little bit of luck as well with the penalty," the Swede admitted. "It was a bit harsh but there was contact - even though I couldn't see it from the bench," the former England manager added.

"I hope we can maintain this form between now and the end of the season so we can at least dream about playing in Europe next season."

Earlier this season there was talk of Champions League football coming to Eastlands but City's fall from the top four has been as swift as it has been dramatic.

Eriksson has no definitive answers to explain an alarming dip in form but feels the true pedigree of his multi-national squad will become clear next season - at home and, possibly, abroad.

"Nobody knew very much about us at the start of the season," he said. "Now everybody knows Martin Petrov and Elano and everything about us. We also have a lot of players in their first season in the Premier League and it's been a tough experience for them.

"They have been asked to play many, many games without a break and these new players will be so much better next season. Next season they will know what this league is all about."

The same can be said for Roy Keane's Sunderland rookies and if defeat against City means the club's top flight future is not yet assured then there is still every chance the Black Cats will be a major force in years to come.

Whether the majority of Saturday's side will be part of that future remains to be seen after their manager blamed complacency for a lacklustre loss.

If Elano's penalty, after Daniel Sturridge had stumbled over his own feet inside the Sunderland area, and Vassell's mishit winner were harsh goals to concede, there was no sympathy from an irate Keane.

"Sometimes players just lose their balance," he said. "I think it would be unfair of me to say the lad (Sturridge) dived because I don't know him. I'm not going to complain. There's nothing I can do about it now.

"We conceded two bad goals and I could have taken seven or eight players off at half-time," the former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland midfielder added. "The rules only allow three.

"Too many people have taken their eye off the ball and started to believe the rubbish written this week. Some of the players and staff have been listening to the wrong people when they should have been listening to me.

"There's been all the talk focusing on next season and relaxing between now and the summer, blah, blah, blah. I've never seen such rubbish. I expected the other team would win today (Saturday). I had a feeling in my bones."