Ahmed Elmohamady’s team had their unbeaten home record snapped by two goals from DJ Campbell, who had goalkeeper Richard Kingson to thank for making over 10 saves at the Stadium of Light.

“It was just one of those unbelievable games where you knew the writing was on the wall very early - if we had played until midnight we weren't going to score,” Bruce said.

“I think we've had something like 33 attempts on the goal, something like 37 crosses - I don't know how many saves the goalkeeper's made, it's just one of those games.

“I have never witnessed anything like that, not at this level, anyway - maybe when I was at school.

“There's nothing I can say. We absolutely hammered them and lost 2-0.

“I can't remember ever being involved in a Premier League game where we have had so many chances. It could have been 10, it could quite easily have been 10.”