West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce was pleased with their 1-1 draw at Sunderland.

Stewart Downing hit the equaliser after Sunderland had taken the lead through a controversial penalty.

"I am delighted in the performance of the team and I'm really pleased with the way that they played," said Allardyce. "Right from the very start, unlike how we started at West Brom, we took a grip on the game, created several chances but couldn't put the ball in the net.

"We then had to overcome a massive setback when they were awarded a penalty which wasn't a penalty, of course.

"We got a quick response and another Stewart Downing goal - I thought he was terrific. I thought the whole of the team played to their best, apart from the final bit where we couldn't find the clinical finish we needed to end up winning the game.

"Coming back from a goal down again, albeit against the run of play and from a penalty that wasn't a penalty, showed the spirit in the team."