Bruce hails Black Cats response

Bruce hails Black Cats response

Published Nov. 14, 2010 7:15 p.m. ET

The Wearsiders tore the defending champions apart at Stamford Bridge with goals from Nedum Onuoha, Asamoah Gyan and Danny Welbeck condemning the hosts to their first home defeat of the season. Bruce was particularly pleased that his players were continuing to atone for the 5-1 humiliation they suffered at Newcastle two weeks ago. He told Sky Sports 1: "Two weeks ago we were hung, drawn and quartered. We were looking for a response and got it. They have worked very hard to get over the Newcastle defeat. "It was the worst performance of my career two weeks ago and today was arguably the best. Today we have done okay. "That's management, the ups and downs are pretty horrific." Onuoha added on the defeat at St James' Park: "For a lot of us that was the low point of our careers but we had to draw a line under it and we have done that." As for his opening goal, which came via a slaloming run through the heart of the Chelsea defence, he added: "I got it 30 yards from goal on my left foot so I didn't want to shoot. "The run was nice but the finish was scruffy. But I can't complain." Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti admitted his side had had a "bad day". He said: "Everything went wrong, we didn't play well or how we wanted. "Sunderland played with fantastic spirit, fantastic pressure, they played well. "It was a bad day. "We were not able to play our football, just 15 minutes in the first half. Everything was difficult today, it was a strange performance. "We were in a good moment but now we have to come back and stay focused on the next game." Chelsea announced on Thursday that Ancelotti's assistant Ray Wilkins would be leaving the club but the Italian denied that had any effect on Sunday's performance. "It was not a reason," he added. "Sunderland played a fantastic game, we played a poor game, we have to do better." Chelsea missed John Terry on Sunday afternoon with stand-in centre-halves Paulo Ferreira and Branislav Ivanovic frequently exposed by the pace of Welbeck and Gyan. And although Ancelotti ruled Terry out of this Wednesday's friendly with France he is hoping to have him back for next Saturday's trip to Birmingham. "He is not able to play for England, he had a problem with his back but I hope he will be fit for the next game."

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