Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill admits he was grateful to Simon Mignolet for his performance in their FA Cup draw at Everton.

Mignolet saved from John Heitinga and Nikica Jelavic in quick succession as time ran out in a full-blooded quarter-final clash at Goodison Park that finished 1-1.

O'Neill said: "I think we started the game brilliantly, got the goal and we were playing very well.

"The equaliser knocked us back, we lost a bit of confidence with it. There was a big surge from the home crowd.

"I thought the second half could have gone either way but they pressed us more towards the end of the game. I am delighted we are still in the hat, I probably would have taken that at the start of the game.

"I thought it was a magnificent double save, really brilliant. I think if we had been beaten there I would have been really disappointed. I wouldn't have been sure we deserved to be beaten.

"I think on reflection a draw was probably a fair result."