Following the controversial 1-0 win over Liverpool, Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is confident the team can go on and challenge the teams above them on the table.
The Black Cats managed to grab all three points at home against the Reds, thanks to a 5th minute Darren Bent goal that deflected off a beach ball and despite the luck win, Bruce has been happy with the form his side is showing since he took over.
"It has been a decent start for us. One of the reasons I came here was because of afternoons like this and have a team that could match the expectations of the support here," said Bruce.
"I'm not being disrespectful to the past, but they've never been able to do that, especially in this league. We've been up and down four times in ten years. We've never been able to deal with expectations. The signs are that we're getting there, that we're trying.
"We've got some big players who can take the stage and it doesn't affect them, this big crowd and in fact they enjoy it, they relish it."