Prospects look positive - Gordon

Gordon has been Ricky Sbragia's number one for the last two Premier League games

Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon believes the display against Manchester United proved the club are good enough to stay in the top flight this season.

Despite losing 2-1 to the champions, Gordon believes they showed enough quality to survive in the top flight.

"It's a step in the right direction, if you get performances right, points will follow," he told BBC Newcastle.

"We've got to take the positives from the performance and move on to what is a crucial week for us."

Gordon has re-emerged as number one at the Stadium of Light and for the Scottish national side in the last month, after a frustrating period as deputy for club and country.

Hungarian rival Marton Fulop had established himself as first-choice for the Wearsiders during Gordon's spell out with injury, while Rangers' Allan McGregor had been considered George Burley's main man for the Scots.

But having displaced the duo, former Hearts stopper Gordon is determined to play a big role in retaining the club's Premier League status now he has regained his place between the posts.

"It's a pressure situation and that's what you have to deal with as a professional player," he said.

"The experience I've got so far can only be helpful in trying to put in some decent performances between now and the end of the season."

The 26-year-old keeper joined Sunderland from Scottish Premier League side Heart of Midlothian in August 2007 for a fee of £9m, a British record for a goalkeeper.