"We allowed them to come back to 2-1, then 2-2 and it became a test of our mental strength, resilience and quality," he told Setanta Sports.

"We lacked a little bit of sharpness. It is always very difficult when you have played away in the Champions League in midweek, but to get the three points today was good."

There was some good and bad news for England coach Steve McClaren.

Frank Lampard returned to the Chelsea side after missing the last seven matches with a torn thigh muscle while Michael Owen, who had a groin operation last week, came on as a late substitute and scored in Newcastle United's 3-2 win over Everton at St James' Park.

They should both be available for England's important Euro 2008 qualifiers against Estonia and Russia later this month, but Andy Johnson, who scored for Everton in the defeat at Newcastle, pulled out of the squad with an ankle injury.

Dean Ashton, who injured his knee in West Ham's 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa on Saturday, is doubtful.

Two Goals

There will not be any Arsenal players in the England team in those matches, but they lead the table thanks to two goals from Dutchman Van Persie and one from Swiss defender Philippe Senderos against Sunderland.

Van Persie put the Gunners ahead with a blistering free-kick after seven minutes while Senderos made it 2-0 with a scrappy goal seven minutes later.

Sunderland came back into the match with goals from Ross Wallace and Kenwyne Jones before Van Persie scored Arsenal's late winner after being freed up by substitute Theo Walcott.

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