Man-of-the-match Dwight Yorke proved there is life in the old dog yet as Sunderland claimed their first home point against Arsenal since 2001, Ian Laws wrote in yesterday's Sunderland Echo, referring to the Trinidad and Tobago player.

Making his first appearance of the season in the English Premier League, the veteran midfielder played a key role as Roy Keane's men went so close to victory on Saturday.

And Yorke believes the performance-which earned him two man-of-the-match awards from sponsors-vindicated his decision to spurn long, slow days in the sun in favour of what looks set to be a last fling in the Premiership.

Substitute Grant Leadbitter gave the Black Cats a brilliant 85th-minute lead on Saturday, before Cesc Fabregas headed Arsenal's injury time equaliser.

Yorke-who is 37 next month-said: "I have been in the game long enough to know what is required in the Premier League and I feel that I can have a part to play in the team.

"I was given a chance against a very tough team, but I felt that I hung in there.

"I knew the competition for places was going to be tough this season. The manager expressed that to me before I put pen to paper.

"But I felt I could compete with these young lads-if I didn't believe that, I would have walked away and lead a very quiet life and enjoyed the sunshine.

"But I have a lot of desire. The legs are perhaps not as fast as I would like but I have got the experience and, hopefully, I took my chance with both hands on Saturday."