MICK McCARTHY admitted last night that Manchester City's international class in front of goal stopped Sunderland from earning their first Premiership success of the campaign.

Darius Vassell, who scored at the Stadium of Light for England against Turkey in 2003, and Trevor Sinclair scored for City as the Black Cats ended 2-1 losers.

Former Newcastle and Manchester United striker Andy Cole also had a hand in Sinclair's strike and Sunderland boss McCarthy insists that was the difference between winning and losing.

"The margin between the two sides was the ability to put the ball in the net," said McCarthy. "The response we got from the crowd suggested we played well. We had good opportunities to score. But City had a couple and put them in the net.

"Vassell is playing for England, Cole has numerous caps and Sinclair has played at that level on numerous occasions. I don't want to be a team that plays well and loses but at this level scoring is what it's all about.

"We are getting punished. They have punished us. We didn't have that quality when required.

"I have watched the goals again and we have a couple of missed tackles before they have scored but they still had to put the ball away and they have."

Sunderland went into last night's game confident following Saturday's battling display at Anfield - a game they eventually lost 1-0. But McCarthy admitted his players are in no mood to smile about running Premiership rivals close after their third straight defeat.

"I would hate to think we had been slaughtered in two games but nobody wants to hear we have created chances because we have still got to beat them," said McCarthy, who takes his side to Wigan on Saturday.

"I take heart and confidence that we have actually played well in the game.

"We have now lost three games on the spin. Some of us have had a few more defeats on the spin. Footballers want to win and they will feel the hurt of the defeat and nothing else."

McCarthy also revealed he remains hopeful of landing midfielder Christian Bassila, who is thought to be close to agreeing terms with Auxerre instead.

McCarthy said: "We are still hopeful it will go through."