Black Cats facing dogfight

STEVE BRUCE is digging in for a fight after Sunderland passed up the chance to drag themselves clear of the relegation battle.

The Black Cats are only four points clear of the drop zone after being held by Wigan – just five days after a depressing stalemate with Stoke at the Stadium of Light. Bruce had identified these two games as the time to stop the rot but they came and went with a whimper.

Sunderland are without a league win in 11 attempts dating back to November 21 – when they beat Arsenal – and have collected just five points from the last 33. They will be looking uncomfortably over their shoulders as they head for crisis club Portsmouth tomorrow night, and then the Gunners 11 days later.