Lee Bowyer insists Charlton Athletic have been ‘better’ than Sunderland in League One following play-off final triumph

Charlton boss Lee Bowyer insists his side were 'better' than Sunderland in their previous meetings

Lee Bowyer claims his Charlton side were better than the Black Cats this term - and was pleased that a ‘completely different’ team proved that at Wembley.

The Addicks had failed to beat the Black Cats in the regular League One season, losing out late on at the Stadium of Light before sharing a 1-1 draw at the Valley.

But Bowyer felt neither result was a fair reflection of his side, with injuries meaning his squad was depleted on both occasions.

Indeed on the first day of the season, the former Newcastle United man was only able to select five substitutes, with only two of them holding any sort of senior experience.

Yet despite absentees, the Charlton boss still felt his side were better than Sunderland during those previous two clashes.

And Bowyer was pleased that - with only one injury among his ranks at Wembley - that his side were able to prove that in the play-off final and seal promotion to the Championship.

“Over the two league games, I don’t think we deserved to lose,” he said.