Martin O'Neill has admitted that luck may have played a part in Sunderland's 1-1 draw with Norwich City earlier today.

The Black Cats were a goal down when Norwich keeper Mark Bunn was sent off for an apparent handball, before Sebastien Bassong conceded a penalty.

The Sunderland manager told Sky Sports News: "I thought the sending off looked a sending off at the time because it seemed to follow the rules. Norwich will be disappointed, obviously, because that might turn the game a little bit.

"We might have got a little bit of luck as Danny Rose's handball might have been in the penalty area. Not that we deserved much luck today, but there have been about seven penalty decisions which have gone against us in recent times.

"So perhaps that little bit of luck that we may not have deserved may have been due in our direction."

The result leaves Sunderland six points clear of the relegation zone.