A 71^st minute strike from Darren Bent was enough to give Steve Bruce’s Sunderland a famous victory over Arsene Wenger and his visiting Arsenal side. Goal number nine for the season saw praise heaped on Bent by his boss whilst his defence became the first to prevent the Gunners from scoring this campaign. 

 

Bent’s continued good form in the domestic scoring charts will maintain his chances of a berth in Fabio Capello’s squad for next summer despite not reproducing that form on international duty last week. But Bruce is firmly behind his man.

"it's not just his goalscoring, his appetite and his work-rate are absolutely unbelievable” said the Black Cat’s boss. “for me, he would have to be in the squad because he scores a goal - he has scored against all the big clubs. I don't think he is going to be judged on a 55-minute friendly.”

Bruce was full of praise for his sides efforts and was delighted that the victory was the result of hard work and not simply luck. "To beat Arsenal, you have always got to play well” said Bruce,” We matched them in the middle of the park, and that was the key area to it.”