Bruce eyes more scalps

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is hoping his side can maintain their impressive return against the Barclays Premier League big boys.

The Black Cats beat Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham at the Stadium of Light last season, and have already disposed of moneybags Manchester City this time around.

However, they face a real test over the next few weeks with Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United waiting in line in successive league games after the trip to Wigan on September 11.

Bruce said: “The fixtures are difficult, but that is the Premier League.

“Going into the end of the month, we know there is a run of fixtures – but we had them last year.

“We had a run of fixtures where we thought, ’Oh, I don’t fancy that’, Liverpool and Arsenal at home back-to-back.

“But we beat them both – and went to Wigan, Birmingham and Burnley and lost.

“You can never call it, but certainly, the big teams brought out the best in us.”