Bruce realistic despite win

The Black Cats were 2-0 up inside 48 minutes after Darren Bent and then, much to Bruce's annoyance, Kenwyne Jones converted penalties. But Wolves staged a concerted fightback and drew level before the Black Cats recovered to claim the points.

"I'm not feeling like we have won 5-2," said Bruce. "What he have to eradicate is when we have a wobble. We must have the basics within us to see that wobble through. Thankfully we saw it through."

Wolves would have felt hard done by to find themselves 2-0 down, but remarkably were back on level terms within seven minutes. First John Mensah put through his own goal and then Kevin Doyle blasted home an equaliser after goalkeeper Craig Gordon had handled Kieran Richardson's misplaced back-pass to concede a free-kick just six yards out.

But Jones then blasted home from distance to restore Sunderland's lead and Michael Turner's header and a Michael Mancienne own goal in injury time ensured the optimism among the travelling supporters was shortlived. However, as pleased as he was with the result, Bent's decision to surrender the second penalty to Jones did not please his manager.

"We have got one of the best penalty takers in the country in Darren, so that won't happen again, that's for sure," said Bruce.

"There would have been absolute hell to pay if he had missed. It's not right."

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy had no qualms about the second penalty decision, which was given for Christophe Berra's trip on Bent, but was not happy with referee Lee Mason's verdict for the first one, given for Segundo Castillo's tackle on the same man.

He said: "I have looked at it again and I think Segundo Castillo gets his foot on the ball, actually stops the ball and Bent falls over him.

"I don't think the referee had a great view of it and saw him fall over. I just think he has got to be certain. That wasn't fair on us, but the second one was a stonewaller."