Sunderland 4 Cardiff City: 'We deserved that win,' says two-goal Connor Wickham

Black Cats moved out of the relegation zone with the victory

Two-goal Connor Wickham felt his side fully deserved what they got after moving out of the Barclays Premier League relegation zone with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over 10-man Cardiff on Sunday.

The 21-year-old headed the hosts into a 26th-minute lead and then sealed matters with a late header as Gus Poyet's side posted just their second league victory at the Stadium of Light in 11 attempts and back-to-back wins for the first time in almost three months.

"It's never easy against these teams, even when they've got 10 men," Wickham said on Sky Sports News. "But we had a job to do and we're on our way back now.

"I don't really feel the pressure, to be honest. We created chances a hell of a lot over the last few games. We deserved that result. We're doing what we can do.

"The team performed well today. We created a lot of chances and defended right from the back from the goalkeeper all the way through to the forwards so I think we deserved what we got today."

Wickham also played a key role in the second goal, forcing defender Juan Cala into the ill-judged challenge which cost him a red card and his side a penalty, which was coolly converted by Fabio Borini.

"Obviously I felt he pulled me down," the Black Cats forward added.

"I felt I could have scored. If you go down, he's going to get sent off, but I felt I could score. But he (referee Phil Dowd) brought it back and I think he made the right decision."

PA