Sunderland boss: West Ham were better team
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has conceded that West Ham United were the better team in the English Premier League sides’ Carling Cup clash and deserved to win.
The Hammers won Tuesday’s match 2-1 at the Stadium of Light, marking their first win this season while they enjoyed their first away victory since August last year.
“It was disappointing all round. We looked flat from the moment we started. Our edge wasn't with us and we paid the price for it. In management you look and think 'could I have freshened it up a bit more?'
I picked a team which I thought was strong enough but we were lethargic and not at it. I thought the goal might have given us a lift but if we're being honest the better side won tonight. We have no gripes about that," Bruce said to reporters.
Bruce added that he was disappointed that his players could not keep up the level of play they displayed against Arsenal in the league on Saturday, where they outplayed the Gunners and grabbed a point
with a late Darren Bent equaliser.
“We struggled to get near them to get possession of the ball, something we did exceptionally well against Arsenal," said Bruce. "Still we had chances to score. We had two at the death which on another
day might have allowed us to get back into it.”
Frederic Piquionne and Victor Obinna struck either side of half-time for the visitors to give them a two-goal cushion. While Asamoah Gyan was able to score for Sunderland in his first start for the club,
he could not restore parity despite the Black Cats pushing forward in numbers in the closing stages.
Bruce admitted that his team were thoroughly beaten and that their EPL rivals deserved to progress through to the next round.
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