Ferdiand Thanks Brown

Anton Ferdinand has said that Phil Brown's Blasting of the Sunderland players helped them win the game. Earlier in the week Sunderland boss Ricky Sbragia also commented on how Browns comments inspired his side to the Victory. “What he said definitely gave me big motivation,” Ferdinand said. “We rose to the occasion and used it as ammo.

“For someone who has not seen me play each week, to make comments like that was out of order.

“But in a way, it worked out well for us as we came off the pitch with our heads held high and with the three points, which is all that matters.”

Brown was not about to backtrack on his comments after the game.

“If you class that as an inspired display, then well played,” he said. “I seem to be picking a few fights and I have not been in the ring yet but you can’t say we were the only team who lacked quality out there.”