Bruce rues missed chances after shock cup exit

Steve Bruce is already facing tough questions over the Sunderland team he has rebuilt this summer after a 1-0 Carling Cup exit at Brighton followed hard on the heels of defeat by a similar margin at home to local rivals Newcastle just four days earlier.

It means Bruce's Black Cats go into Saturday's Premier League visit to Swansea with just four wins in their last 17 games - and a dozen defeats.