’Poetic justice’ is one way of describing Sunderland boss Steve Bruce’s feelings after their late show equaliser against Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal side at the Stadium Of Light.

 

Since taking over the job, Bruce has seen the Black Cats drop points in an increasing number of games in the closing stages but with a win and a draw claimed in injury time during their last two home games, Bruce is pleased that his side are turning the corner.

‘We went down to a freak goal, but we just rolled our sleeves up and got on with it’ he said, ‘We were staring defeat in the face until those last few seconds, and I couldn't be more proud of the fact that we kept going right to the final whistle and earned our rewards.’

Goal-hero Darren Bent is aware that the team must continue to put in 100% effort to challenge in the higher regions of the Premier League. With six points from five games, Sunderland have to perform consistently to be looking up rather than down. ‘I think we’ve started the season well and we’ve shown a hell of a lot of spirit’ he said, ‘we’re never-say-die attitude and that has to be the attitude for the season of we’re going to finish in the top half of the table.’