Derby day saviour Asamoah Gyan has shrugged off the pressure of his record price-tag as he attempts to prove he is worth it.

The 25-year-old Ghana international spared Sunderland a second dose of misery at the hands of arch-rivals Newcastle on Sunday with a last-gasp equaliser which he knew little about.

His strike may have proved priceless on the day, but manager Steve Bruce will hope for a lasting return for a man who cost him in excess of £13million when he arrived at the Stadium of Light from French club Rennes during the summer. Gyan latest goal was his eighth of the campaign, but just his second in 10 games, although he insists he will deal with the weight of expectation as he attempts to make his way in the English game.

He said: "I like to be myself. I play my game. The price-tag, the manager just saw that in me. He wanted to bring me at all costs to Sunderland and finally, they made a deal. It's a challenge for me. It shows the quality they have seen in me, so I am happy to have signed.

"Football is not about talking, it is demonstrated on the field. I don't believe in talking too much."