Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has warned his side they have two matches to save their season after their 2-0 defeat at Everton. The Black Cats, three points above the relegation zone, now face Stoke and Wigan in successive matches at the Stadium of Light and Bruce believes they have to win to turn their campaign around.

"We have been on an awful run but we have got back-to-back home games which will define our season," he said.

"We must get results in these games and if we do then we are capable."

Understandably, the manager criticised their defending and attitude again.

"I seem to be like a long-playing record at the minute but it is too easy the number of goals we give away," said Bruce.

"That has been our Achilles heel of late. We just haven't - or can't - defend properly.

"The first half-an-hour was nowhere near the standard of what we need to be in the Premier League.

"We have to be a bit more resilient than that. We have to show better attitude than what we showed."