Bent pounces to seal the points

Sunderland 1 Arsenal 0:ARSENE WENGER looked a little bored and slightly baffled. The Arsenal manager had just been asked to gauge Sunderland's improvement this season and, after briefly staring blankly at the questioner, his supremely patronising reply suggested Steve Bruce's side were inconsequential nobodies.

“I don’t know, it’s difficult to measure,” he said, having already airbrushed reality by inferring the Wearsiders had been freakily fortunate here. “You need to judge them when they play against a team of their level.”

Considering Sunderland stand within touching distance of a Champions League berth that station may be somewhat grander than many imagine. Moreover Bruce’s side are already playing a key part in the title race by offering contenders valuable litmus tests indicating the viability of their respective challenges.

While the vulnerabilities of Arsenal and Liverpool were highlighted during defeats at the Stadium of Light, Manchester United found their own limitations exposed as Alex Ferguson’s side scrambled a stoppage-time equaliser to draw 2-2 with Sunderland at Old Trafford after the visitors had been reduced to 10 men by the dismissal of the former United player Kieran Richardson.

Yet if that trio’s credentials were found wanting in the face of Lorik Cana, Andy Reid, Darren Bent et al, Chelsea proved the exception when Carlo Ancelotti’s team poured acid on north-eastern ambitions during a horribly one -sided encounter by the River Wear. “I don’t know if we are a barometer of the title race but, for me, Chelsea are the ones who pose the greatest threat,” Bruce said. “If anyone finishes above Chelsea this season they will be Champions. Chelsea probably came here too early in the season, before we were properly ready for them but they were outstanding against us. Chelsea steamroller teams.”

So, too, on their day, do Arsenal. Unfortunately for Wenger this was not one of them. If Sunderland’s attacking edge was blunted by the loss of Kenwyne Jones to suspension, the visitors were reminded that the injured Robin van Persie is a near indispensable component of their attacking armoury.

In the Dutchman’s absence Marton Fulop was barely tested. Sunderland’s goalkeeper saved once from Tomas Rosicky before looking relieved when Alex Song failed to divert Eduardo’s chip into an unguarded net. Wenger claimed Sunderland’s second- half winner – registered by Bent after his initial effort from Reid’s corner rebounded off Fraizer Campbell – represented their sole scoring chance and that Bruce’s side only threatened from set-pieces.

He was talking nonsense, albeit nicely dressed up in a French accent. True, Sunderland rarely threatened Manuel Almunia but they were not quite as defensive as Arsenal’s manager claimed.

Steed Malbranque spurned two inviting first-half openings after connecting with Reid crosses while Richardson very nearly scored his side’s second goal from Boudewijn Zenden’s centre.

“In my experience when you beat Arsenal the story is always about how badly they’ve played but I think our lads deserve some credit,” said Bruce. “Apart from Marton’s early save I can’t really remember Arsenal having a chance. To beat Arsene’s team you have to play well. This was not a lucky win.”

Although Paulo da Silva, the Paraguay captain Bruce captured on a free transfer from the Mexican league this summer, shone at centre-half, Sunderland won the game in central midfield.

Cana’s Vieira-esque dominance of that department once again begged the question as to why England’s “top four” passed up the opportunity to sign Albania’s formidable captain from Marseille for a modest €5.5 million in July.

Alongside Cana, the fast -emerging teenager, Jordan Henderson, matched Cesc Fabregas stride for stride, delighting in dispossessing the Spaniard.

Bent has now struck against Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and United, this latest effort boosting his seasonal goal haul to a creditable nine. If only his all-round game was a bit more consistent he, and his often similarly erratic Sunderland colleagues, could be flying significantly higher.