Black relief as leaky Potters help ease pressure on Bruce

SUNDERLAND assistant boss Eric Black launched a stout defence of manager Steve Bruce after seeing his side cruise past Stoke to claim their first win of the season yesterday.

The Black Cats, who had scored only twice in five games in all competitions before kick-off, rattled in four unanswered goals against the Potters to claim just their third home win in the Barclays Premier League this calendar year.

Victory eased the pressure on Bruce, who had been the target of intense criticism from disgruntled fans still smarting at the 1-0 home defeat by arch-rivals Newcastle in the second game of the campaign.