Power lifts the lid on Oxford tunnel ‘brawl

SUNDERLAND skipper Max Power has told his “tribal” players to carry on fighting for each other.

Lee Johnson’s in-form side face a top-of-the-table clash with Peterborough tomorrow following a win – and a “massive tunnel brawl” – against Oxford on Good Friday.

Power (below) has lifted the lid on the dust-up which caused United boss Karl Robinson to claim his keeper Jack Stevens was nutted by a Sunderland backroom coach – and to demand the police were called to the Stadium of Light.

Power, 27, said: “Something was said to me at half time and I’ve had the last laugh. I will leave it at that.

“I was pleased we backed each other up as a squad, both on the pitch and – not going into too much – off the pitch.

“It is an emotional sport, it is a tribal sport, teams backing each other. I have taken a fair bit of abuse from that Oxford bench in the three years I have been at this club, whether it be home or away.

“Go back to the game I got sent off against them, I walked off that day and got abuse.

“It is swings and roundabouts.”

Sunderland are on a run of nine wins in 11 games in the league, and have games in hand over The Posh, in second, and leaders Hull.

“It is an exciting time of the season with a lot riding on it,” said Power. “We are trying to break into the top two. I don’t need to heighten that game, we all know the importance of it.

“We will stay level headed, but it’s human nature to get excited.”

Boss Johnson added: “I genuinely don’t think it will be a title decider.

“We still have 27 points to play for, but it is an important game.”