Steve Bruce: "We got the decisions"

Hull City boss Steve Bruce feels that his side received the benefit of the doubt of close decisions in their 3-1 win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

The Black Cats had several appeals for penalties turned down by referee Andre Marriner, including when Stephen Quinn appeared to handle the ball in the penalty area as Adam Johnson tried to knock the ball past the midfielder.

However, Bruce is adamant that Marriner made the correct decisions at the time, and has admitted that he will gladly take the luck if replays suggested otherwise.

He told reporters: "For me, the referee has got it right. They are a difficult one. Quinn's, in particular, is when his hand is trying to protect his face. He does take it on the chin.

"When close to you like that, how are you supposed to get out of the way. For me, the referee showed common sense.

"I don't see either being blatant, either one of them. We got the decisions, which over the last eight weeks hasn't been the case. So, if we did get one go for us, we gratefully take it."

Hull moved out of the relegation zone and into 17th place in the Premier League with their victory.