Sven-Goran Eriksson has hailed his side’s battling qualities after their 1-0 win over Sunderland on Monday night.

The Blues’ victory came courtesy of Stephen Ireland’s second half volley, a moment of quality on a night when neither side threatened their opponent’s goal on many occasions.

Of the win, Sven says: “We said on the bench at the start of the second half that if we score first, we’ll win the game. There were few chances for either side, but that’s what we expected.

“It was a battle to win the second balls, but it’s important to defend well, which we did last Wednesday and today. After a 6-0 defeat you want that, a tough mentality and the will to battle. We didn’t play the best football, but we know we can do that as well.

“It was similar to Bolton, we had to fight but we had talked about this since last Wednesday as well. We did a lot of defending in training after Bolton, but if you don’t defend well you can never play good football, so it’s a good basis but we know we can play better than tonight.”

The win puts City back into third place, and the Manager added: “We’re in a fantastic position, and we’ll try to keep that as long as possible, to be third just a few points off the top two is not bad.”

Ireland’s goal, his first of the season earned a tribute from his manager, who said:

“It was a nice goal, he took it well and Vassell set him up superbly. I’m very happy for Stephen that he scored such a good goal, and such an important one as well.”

When asked whether Michael Johnson, who was substituted at half time, could be facing an operation on a troublesome groin injury that he has struggled with all season, the Manager said:

“We are looking at making that decision on Tuesday, that will be our doctor and physios along with a surgeon. One thing is clear, he cannot go on like this because he plays but then cannot train for a few days. We all know what a talent he is, he should be getting better, but he is in pain one day and not on the next, so he’s not taking that step forward. He would do if was fit.

“Nedum has a groin problem and he will be out for at least 10 days, there is no problem with Elano and Micah hopefully will play next weekend.”