Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill refused to condemn Everton midfielder Leon Osman for his 'fresh air penalty' won this week.

O'Neill was quick to absolve the Everton midfielder of any blame.

He said: "When one misses the ball completely, then you are going to go down quite awkwardly, so I wouldn't be attaching any blame to a player in any aspect.

"He had an air-swipe, missed it and of course, he is going to be off-balance and went down.

"He has made a positive attempt - I don't think he has tried at all to con anybody. I just think the referee has got to try to see that from that distance.

"He hasn't done, so it's just disappointing, but it's gone."