Sunderland Football Club News

• Nickname:Black Cats
• Founded:1879
• Manager:Martin O'Neill

• Ground:Stadium of light
• Capacity:48,353

Bruce happy after spot woes

04 Apr 2010 - 11:21:46

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Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has admitted he was relieved to see his side pick up all three points as the finally saw off the challenge of Tottenham Hotspur at the Stadium of Light.

Bruce watched leading scorer and former Spurs striker Darren Bent score inside a minute before converting a penalty to double their advantage.

However, he then contrived to miss two further spot-kicks, thwarted on both occasions by Heurelho Gomes. Peter Crouch then scored to make the Black Cats sweat, but the result was sealed when Bolo Zenden added a third late in the day.

Despite his failures from 12 yards, Bent collected the praise from Bruce after the game.

"It was one of those great games to be involved in when, if things go your way and you get the result, you're obviously delighted," Bruce said to Sky Sports.

"But we made it hard on ourselves with the chances we had and the chances that we missed," he admitted.

"It was two genuine sets of players who've gone head-to-head and it was a great spectacle.

"When Crouch headed in I was left thinking 'oh my gosh here we go again', but we've done well at home and only lost twice (on home soil this term).

"Today it didn't matter that he's missed them. He's had a terrific season - to get 23 goals in a team that's halfway up the league is quite an achievement.

"I've worked with him for the best part of eight months and I know he can score a goal, so I think that is vital at every level."