Gus Poyet has claimed that his Sunderland team have no excuses for failing to beat Norwich City following the 0-0 draw at the Stadium of Light this afternoon.

The Black Cats, who defeated Chelsea 2-1 in the quarter-finals of the Capital One Cup on Tuesday, failed in their attempts to break down a resolute Canaries defence, with Wes Brown red-carded in the closing stages.

The result does little for Poyet in his quest to guide the North-East outfit to safety this season, and the Uruguayan feels that his team left two points in Norfolk this evening.

"With all respect to Norwich, we do not have any excuses here," he told Sky Sports News. "They are not in the top seven. I don't like excuses."

Sunderland remain rooted to the foot of the Premier League table having amassed just 10 points all season.