Bruce deflated as Reds get revenge for the beach ball

IN football, as in life, what goes around, comes around.

Sunderland might have had their beach ball, but Liverpool trumped it on this occasion with a Friend in high places.

Steve Bruce admitted his side used up an entire season’s luck when they sealed a rare win over the Reds thanks to Darren Bent’s goal with its famed inflatable help 18 months ago. So the Sunderland manager shouldn’t have been too surprised that Dirk Kuyt’s crucial first-half deadlock-breaking goal came accompanied by a large slice of luck.