DANISH international goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen, whose breathtaking double super-save in the 1-0 home win over West Ham United almost stole the limelight from match-winner Kevin Phillips, had a friendly dig at the England striker afterwards.

Asked if it was a great boost to play behind a striker who was always likely to score goals, Sorensen replied: "No - I think it is a great boost for Kevin to have me in goal because I save them!"

But on a serious note he added: "Obviously he is a great player and he keeps scoring all the time.

"There is so much pressure on him but he keeps coming up with the goods.

"I was so pleased for him - he was the first player I went up to after the game and I said to him 'well done' - he deserves it.

"I am just happy to be in his side."

Sorensen's 47th-minute saves kept West Ham at bay, but a minute before he had made another inspiring save to deny England midfielder Joe Cole in a one-on-one situation which the big keeper so frequently wins.

He explained: "I think it is important that you stand up and make your opponent make the decisions because he will be confused.

"Really you don't need to do anything - you are waiting for his move and it will be easier. But it is about having that control and being calm - it is difficult but I work on it in training and it seems to work for me."

West Ham manager Glenn Roeder, the man who plucked Phillips out of non-league football with Baldock Town while he was manager of Watford, and then recommended the player to Sunderland boss Peter Reid, knew that if Phillips got a sniff at goal the ball would be in the back of the net.

But he also felt that Sorensen's performance had as much bearing on the Sunderland victory.

He said: "I knew if we could restrict Phillips to no chances we would be in with a shout.

"But when that ball came across to him in that split second I feared the worst.

"He is a top-drawer finisher and his goal scoring ratio is as good as anyone in England.

"But we still should have been able to handle Kevin's goal.

"Sorensen is one of the best goalkeepers in the Premiership - he has a huge reputation."

Reid was quick to point out that Sorensen's saves just after the restart kept Sunderland in the game.

He said: "As I've said before I wouldn't swap Thomas for anybody.

"Goalkeepers always make mistakes and sometimes it costs you because that's the nature of the job.

"For a such a big lad his stature and quickness is top drawer. In training the lads have really got to be on top form to beat him and that is showing in his general play. Taking over from Peter Schmeichel in the Danish national team I think has helped him because it has given him extra responsibility. "His double save was terrific - I thought it was a goal."

Reid has expressed disappointment that England international midfielder Gavin McCann has put in a written transfer request.

He said: "We have had on-going talks with Gavin about a contract and in the letter he wrote me I think his advisers have put it really well.

"Nowadays players have got to be careful from my point of view about listening to advisers instead of their managers. Gavin has decided to go down that route."

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