Sunday 14 August 2016 19:42, UK
David Moyes admits Sunderland's late 2-1 defeat by Manchester City was "gut-wrenching" on his return to management.
Moyes lost his first Premier League game since being dismissed as Manchester United manager, following a 2-0 defeat to Everton in April 2014, after replacing new England boss Sam Allardyce at Sunderland in July.
Sunderland made City work for their victory and defeat was harsh after Defoe's equaliser, but Moyes was pleased with his players' application.
He said: "It was gut-wrenching. We did a great job in containing them as best we could. We had a game plan, we knew we weren't going to have an awful lot of the ball, and we had just about done the job - but just about is not enough.
"I'm disappointed with the way we defended the second goal. I think we backed off too much and allowed the ball to be played across the six-yard box, which made it really difficult whether it be a defender or a striker with a great chance of scoring a goal or an own goal.
"But overall I thought the players did really well. I don't want to pat them on the back for losing, but a pat on the back would come from the way they stuck at their job, kept going and coming very close to getting a result."
Lamine Kone impressed for Sunderland despite reports he wanted to leave the club.
Everton have made an offer for the 27-year-old and a statement was released under his name on Friday stating he had asked to leave.
Moyes claimed the defender knew nothing about it and believes he will remain at the Stadium of Light.
Moyes added: "I expect him to stay. Strangely enough when I pulled the boy yesterday he didn't know anything about his statement.
"He didn't know much about it at all but it was said and his name was put to it. The boy was great, he was great today, he was great yesterday.
"We've told him on September 1 we will look to do a contract and also we've also had an offer from Everton. We've not hidden anything."
