Steve Bruce slams Sunderland after Manchester City hiding: We were second best

Steve Bruce – Sunderland, (Getty Images)

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Sunderland boss Steve Bruce classed his side’s performance as ‘second best’ after their 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Champions League chasers Manchester City.

Goals from Adam Johnson, Carlos Tevez, David Silva, Patrick Viera and Yaya Toure secured victory for Roberto Mancini’s side and saw the Black Cats slip to 12th in the Premier League.

“From start to finish it was brutal, we were second best from the moment it started, we got what we deserved – nothing.  We got our backsides kicked. I could try and make excuses but I won’t, said Bruce.

Bruce was scathing in the appraisal of individual performances and made it clear that he was not happy with what he saw from the vast majority of his side.

“When you come here, you’ve got to play well and we didn’t. There were one or two who did OK, but the rest weren’t good enough on the day,” he admitted.

The Premier League table remains tight as ever and Sunderland have 38 points from their 31 games. With seven fixtures still to go, Bruce was asked if safety has been secured.

“We haven’t got enough points yet.  We’ve been on a horrific run with a half-fit squad, but that’s not an excuse,” said Bruce.

“We’ve found it very difficult over the last six weeks, but we still have to play Bolton and the bottom six so it’s up to us.”