Sunderland boss Steve Bruce admits a win over Chelsea helped to erase memories of the destruction derby.
Stamford Bridge win helps banish derby embarrassment
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce admits he has sampled the 'horrific' highs and lows of management after a stunning 3-0 win over Chelsea helped to erase memories of the destruction derby.
Goals from Nedum Onuoha, Asamoah Gyan and Danny Welbeck against Chelsea allowed the Black Cats to bounce back in style from the 5-1 hammering at the hands of Tyne-Wear rivals Newcastle a fortnight ago.
Sunderland humiliated Chelsea, scoring the first goals against the defending Premier League champions at Stamford Bridge this season, and Bruce was delighted with the response of his players in the wake of their embarrassment at St James' Park.
He told
Sky Sports 1: "Two weeks ago we were hung, drawn and quartered. We were looking for a response and got it. They have worked very hard to get over the Newcastle defeat.
"It was the worst performance of my career two weeks ago and today was arguably the best. Today we have done okay.
Scruffy
"That's management, the ups and downs are pretty horrific."
Onuoha, who opened the scoring against Chelsea at the end of the first half with a brilliant individual goal, was also pleased to forget the defeat at St James' Park, where he gave away penalty for Newcastle's third goal.
He said: "For a lot of us that (defeat at Newcastle) was the low point of our careers but we had to draw a line under it and we have done that."
Onuoha joked with regards to his opener: "I got it 30 yards from goal on my left foot so I didn't want to shoot.
"The run was nice but the finish was scruffy. But I can't complain."
