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Billy Jones says Sunderland cannot afford more mistakes against Burnley

Billy Jones holds off Manchester United's Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Image: Billy Jones holds off Manchester United's Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Sunderland defender Billy Jones admits their forthcoming clash with Burnley is a huge game for the club in their battle to maintain their Premier League status.

The Black Cats went down 3-1 to Manchester United on Boxing Day, not helping their cause with individual errors from Didier N'Dong and Jason Denayer leading to the second and third goals.

The strikes from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan - adding to Daley Blind's first-half effort - killed off a game which the visitors had been very much in at 1-0 down.

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Highlights from Manchester United's 3-1 win over Sunderland

Jones told the club's website: "Going in at half-time 1-0 down was disappointing.

"We talked about if we can keep it at that and stay in the game we've got a chance, and we also talked before the game about not giving Manchester United any easy goals.

"We feel like the second and third goals, that's what they were, with a couple of bad passes in the middle of the park to set them on their way.

during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on December 26, 2016 in Manchester, England.
Image: Sunderland scrapped hard at Old Trafford but went down 3-0

"It's just disappointing that we've done well again against one of the big teams and haven't got anything to show for it. It makes the game against Burnley even more important now.

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"We've got to show all the positives from this game and be more clinical when we have our chances, and obviously keep it tight at the back as well."