Sunderland manager Steve Bruce happy with ‘bit of luck’ to secure Premier League status

EPL : Sulley Muntari, Bolton Wanderers v Sunderland

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A late Sulley Muntari strike sealed victory for Sunderland against Bolton and manager Steve Bruce was delighted with the effort shown by his players to keep going after Bolton’s 87th minute equaliser.

Bolo Zenden had given the visitors the lead in stoppage time at the end of the first half, but a Ivan Klasnic strike three minutes from time appeared to have earned Bolton a point but Muntari’s 93rd minute strike was helped over the line by Zat Knight to gift the Black Cats only their fourth away win of the season.

“We needed a bit of luck,” Bruce told reporters.

“We’ve had a dreadful run with results and injuries but Bolton’s always been a happy hunting ground for me with Sunderland.

“I won my first game here and to get it in the manner we did is always the best way I suppose.”

The victory means Sunderland are mathematically safe from relegation and Bruce was happy that the club had secured another season in the Premier League and explained he was focused on pushing the club forward to start and challenge higher up the table.

“That’s the one thing we had to arrest when I came into the club,” he continued.

“We stayed up by goal difference the year I came in, and the one thing we had to do was to stop Sunderland being yo-yo club.

“We’ve now completed four years, we’ve now established ourselves, and the next step is the most difficult one to try and take the club forward and compete, and try to get in top 10 if we can.

“It’s very difficult though.”

The Black Cats were captained by Zenden and the Dutchman received praise from his manager for the performance he put in to drive the side forward to a crucial victory.

“I wish he Zenden was 25,” he added.

“You could see today how he gave us the experience we needed.

“You don’t play for the clubs he has without great ability, he’s a terrific player.”

And match-winner Muntari, on loan from Inter Milan, was also praised by his manager but Bruce refused to be drawn on whether than Ghananian would be at the Stadium of Light next season.

“There is a deal in place but nothing’s finalised as yet,” he explained.

“We’ll make a decision at the end of the season.

“The problem Sulley’s found is that he’s not played for six months, he won the Champions League with Inter but then found himself not in the team.

“When came he’d not played for six months so he’s just getting to the sort of fitness levels required to play in Premier League. We all know he’s decent footballer.”