Martin O'Neill has put Sunderland's 4-0 defeat away at Everton earlier today down to the tiredness of his playing squad.
The Black Cats restricted their hosts during the opening 45 minutes at Goodison Park.
However, they conceded four goals without reply after the restart, something that O'Neill has credited to fatigue.
"The first goal was always going to be a big one," O'Neill told the club's official website.
"We ran out of legs and looked tired. They were much stronger than us.
"It's been a big effort by the team, but today we came unstuck and Everton deserved to win."
The result has left O'Neill's side 10th in the Premier League table.
