Sunderland boss David Moyes has refused to criticise his players following Sunday's 2-1 defeat to rivals Middlesbrough in the Premier League.

The Black Cats entered the half-time break at the Stadium of Light two goals behind and despite Patrick van Aanholt registering 20 minutes from time, the home side lost their second successive league game of the new campaign.

Moyes, however, has insisted that his team "played well" and has promised supporters that new players will arrive to boost the squad before the end of the transfer window.

"I did not think we deserved to be 2-0 down at half time. After we lost John O'Shea, we did not get quite sorted. We did not take some chances but they did," Moyes told Sky Sports News.

"We played well, we had a great level of intensity but ran out with 10 minutes to go. We have so any young boys and are at the bare bones. The boys did try to win and score in the second half but were unlucky. I took positives form the first half, we played well. Overall, they were fine. We are working really hard, everybody knows we are short and we will get the players."

Sunderland will continue their Premier League campaign away to Southampton next weekend.