Michael Duff | I am proud of the players

Head coach Michael Duff spoke of his pride in his players after 10-man Swansea City overcame a first-half red card to secure a point against Sunderland at the Swansea.com Stadium.

The Swans had Charlie Patino dismissed with barely 30 minutes on the clock, following two debatable bookings.

However, they dug in doggedly, and could have led at half-time had Jamal Lowe been able to convert from the spot.

Keeper Carl Rushworth – on his 100th EFL appearance – was outstanding in goal, making terrific saves to deny Patrick Roberts and Luke O’Nien, while his teammates made countless, blocks, tackles and clearances as the Swans ensured they took something from the game.

It means they have now lost just two of their last nine Championship fixtures as they underlined their spirit and togetherness against a visiting side fancied to be play-off contenders once again.

Duff praised how his side dealt with the setbacks they faced, and also how the home fans had roared their side on.

“I am really proud of the players. If you include added time, we have played 75 minutes with 10 men,” said the Swans boss.

“I am proud of the supporters, proud of the players and proud of everyone at the football club really, because this was a day when anything that could go wrong, did go wrong.

“But we did not sulk or moan, we got our heads down and it was all hands to the pump.

“We put our bodies on the line and the supporters came with us, they were the 11th man.

“We could have used the ball a bit better in the opening 20 minutes, and we will work on that, but all we can ask for is sweat on the shirts and we had that.

“It is only a point, but it’s a clean sheet and it feels bigger because of the circumstances.

“I’m not going to talk about the referee, I want to talk about us, what we did and how we performed.

“We stood up and fought with everything that went against us. I think everyone would have walked out of the stadium at the end of the game feeling proud to have represented Swansea City.”