A JUBILANT Mick McCarthy last night insisted that his Sunderland side had proved themselves head and shoulders above the rest by winning the Championship title at an emotional Upton Park.

Stephen Elliott's dramatic late winner earned the Black Cats a 2-1 win over West Ham and, more importantly, ensured that McCarthy's side cannot be caught on the final weekend of the season.

While various commentators have been falling over themselves to praise Wigan and Ipswich this season, Sunderland's all-action style has tended to earn more grudging plaudits.

But, after clinching the club's first piece of silverware in six years, McCarthy hopes his players finally earn the respect he feels they deserve after losing just three games in 2005.

"People have been saying that we're not the best team in the league, but we're the best organised and the hardest working," said the Black Cats boss, who can now enjoy Sunday's final game against Stoke before beginning to plot his survival strategy for next season.

"I take that as a massive compliment. I don't think you can get much better praise than people saying you're well organised and willing to work hard.

"But, although I haven't said it, I happen to think that we are the best team in this division."

Last night's game was Sunderland's season in microcosm as the Black Cats got off to a stuttering start before coming good in the end. Marlon Harewood's first-half strike looked like curtailing the club's promotion party, but Julio Arca's equaliser and Elliott's last-gasp winner epitomised the battling qualities that have served Sunderland so well this season.

McCarthy deserves an enormous amount of credit for assembling a squad with so much common desire, but the former Republic of Ireland boss would rather see his players receive the pats on the back.

"I think it's a great achievement for them," he said. "Some of the older lads have been around the block - Marcus Stewart, Gary Breen, Carl Robinson was the loan ranger 12 months ago, he was playing for everyone.

"It's brilliant for them and for the young lads who have come in, Stephen Elliott who scored the winner, Chris Brown who has come in, and Ben Alnwick. Lads who no-one knew about."

Sunderland looked to be suffering a promotion hangover before half-time but, after McCarthy delivered some home truths at the interval, the game turned on its head.

"I thought West Ham were better than us in the first half," he admitted. "They had chances, but our goalkeeper played very well and made a fantastic save from Harewood.

"I thought the game was very open. I thought they were better in possession than us in the first half. We gave it away and that was my emphasis at half-time. But I knew if we passed it better, we would be okay."

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