Bruce takes his Black Cats side to White Hart Lane on Tuesday night to meet a team he believes are on the verge of mounting a serious challenge to the league's traditional powers. He said: "They have invested in the squad, they have a great manager in Harry [Redknapp], they play the game the way it should be played - they have got everything going for them. "I think on the quiet, they have got a chance of not just qualifying for Europe, but of being a really big threat to the Chelseas and the Arsenals and the Manchester Uniteds of this world because they are very, very close. "They are a good team." Sunderland travelled south having started the process of rebuilding their reputation in the wake of their 5-1 defeat by arch rivals Newcastle with a solid 2-0 victory over Stoke on Saturday. But they did so with star striker Darren Bent facing several weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring injury and defender John Mensah having damaged a shoulder at the weekend. However, three valuable points, which came courtesy of a double from record signing Asamoah Gyan on his first Premier League start, significantly raised confidence levels ahead of tough trips to Spurs and Chelsea. Bruce said: "We have repaired some damage. We hung on in there, we showed a bit of grit and determination and we will look forward to the challenge of two great games against Tottenham and Chelsea. "They are the games you want to be involved in." Saturday's victory eased Sunderland back up the Premier League table after their black day on Tyneside, but Bruce is well aware how tight the ladder is after seeing the Magpies climb to fifth as a result of their shock 1-0 win at Arsenal on Sunday. He said: "This Premier League is as tough as I have ever known it. "Every team is competitive - as we have seen again from Blackpool to Wolves losing in the last minute - it's a great league we are in and to be up sitting where we are at the moment, I am very, very pleased."
