Source: PA
Bruce dedicates win to Big Sam
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce dedicated his side's 3-0 Barclays Premier League victory over Blackburn to sacked colleague Sam Allardyce.
Bruce, who celebrated his 50th birthday on Friday, is a close friend of Allardyce and was swift to condemn his dismissal by Rovers last month in the immediate aftermath of the game.
He said: "I would like to say, that's for Sam. I spoke to him and the nonsense that went around with his sacking, that was for him. I hope he has a drink in Dubai, where he is at the moment. That was for him.
"I know he is a pal, but the ludicrous position they have put themselves is quite unbelievable, whoever has taken over there.
"To sack someone like Sam and then appoint his coach, I find totally and utterly ridiculous, not just because he is a friend. The whole of football - the number of conversations I have had have been all about Sam and what the hell is going on.
"A result like that puts football, for me, the right way."
