Sunderland appeal red card

Sunderland have launched an appeal against midfielder Stephane Sessegnon's sending off in his side's 6-1 loss at Aston Villa, the English Football Association announced on Tuesday.



The 28-year-old Benin international was shown a straight red card after catching Villa midfielder Yacoub Sylla with a late challenge during the second half of the Premier League game at Villa Park on Monday.



He will have his case heard by an independent regulatory commission on Wednesday.



Speaking after the game, Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio criticised referee Lee Probert's decision to send Sessegnon off.

"There was nothing in it," Di Canio said. "The leg was not straight. He didn't want to cause any damage to his opponent. The referee fell in a trap. It wasn't a nasty action."

Sunderland's defeat left them level on 37 points with Villa and Newcastle United, five points above the relegation zone with three matches to play this season.

Di Canio: We were warriors

Paolo Di Canio felt his Sunderland players performed like 'warriors' as they claimed a 3-0 derby victory at Newcastle United.

Spectacular strikes from Stephane Sessegnon, Adam Johnson and David Vaughan saw the Black Cats to three much-needed points at St James' Park.

Victory on Tyneside was Di Canio's first as Sunderland boss, in his first derby, and he admits he could not have asked for any more from his squad.

He told Sky Sports: "They were warriors. You can't be more proud than this. They did everything, they gave everything, they left all of their energy on the field.

"It was a fair result at 3-0, so I am very happy for them because they really suffered during the game. It was hard because we knew that we had a team in front of us with fantastic ability and quality.

"They worked through the strategy in a perfect way and it was a good result. It was an important result and they deserved it, so I am happy.



"It means that what I thought when I signed, there is quality in this team. There is absolute quality and it is important that we use it in the right way and play together as a team."