Intro:

Sebastian Larsson scored a late equaliser as Sunderland snatched a 2-2 draw at West Bromwich Albion in their Premier League opener on Saturday.

Script:

(English) Gus Poyet, Sunderland manager:

(Q: What is your response to that result?)

"We needed to get away and finish the first half with one nil. Unfortunately it wasn't to be so it changed a little bit the game. Second half (was) better. Even if we conceded a poor goal we were much better in the second half, more aggressive, more in their half, trying to lock them (in) and not let them come out. Going in behind them a bit better so I'm pleased with the reaction. And you need to take the point because there's so little between the teams that a point to start with is not that bad."

(English) Gus Poyet, Sunderland manager:

(Q: What positives can you take from the game?)

"You know it's been a long time, I was just talking to people in there, last year maybe after conceding the second goal we would have collapsed and conceded three or four. So there is a little bit of a better, stronger mentality in the team. It is the players on the pitch. It is them that need to react and be strong and if you see the reaction of the players when we score and the celebrations and coming back to go again, I think it's a good sign for the future."

(English) Alan Irvine, West Bromich Albion manager:

(Q: Mixed emotions after that result?)

"Yes. Yes very much. Disappointed really because I felt that there were a lot of good things today. We, well first of all, I'm told that last year we didn't come back from going behind so that was really pleasing. It was a great response by the lads. Obviously it was a magnificent strike. It could have been very difficult for them, very challenging for the players but I thought that they responded really well."