match report: Sunderland 2, Blackburn 1

Sunderland defeated Big Sam's Blackburn Rovers thanks to a Kenwyne Jones brace as the black cats came from behind at the Sunderland Stadium of Light in a game which could quite easily have gone to Blackburn.

Jones beat 'keeper Paul Robinson to a great through-ball from Steed Malbranque, flicking it over the oncoming keeper before calmly placing the ball into the net.

Jones then scored his second in the second half, heading in a great left footed cross from Sunderland new boy Lee Cattermole.

Blackburn had a number of goals disallowed for infringements, but that can be put down to their rough and tumble style in and around the Sunderland 18 yard box.

 "We're delighted of course - in the end we've got there and got our rewards because we dug deep.", said Bruce.

"We found it a struggle in the first half, though, but we were much, much better in the second and our endeavour has got us something out of the game.

"We didn't have many chances and Blackburn missed a good few. We simply didn't deal with Blackburn's physical approach and them putting balls into the box and that will have to improve.

"I must be genuinely honest and say that Blackburn came away harshly done by, but a win's a win, we've got it although it was a touch fortunate."

"I didn't think we dealt with balls coming in - it's difficult, but that's why we need to be brave and we didn't cope with that well at all," Bruce added.

"The bits of quality in the game were Kenwyne's.  He had that real bit of quality at the top end of the pitch, he's done very well and that's what won us the game today."

"We've had a great start when you consider Chelsea were in there, so long may it continue.

"There's a lot of tired bodies in the dressing room and we'll assess things over the next 24 to 48 hours to see who's got the knocks and who hasn't.

"It's fair to say I will have to make changes for the Norwich game because of the number of games we've played recently."