Hull City’s victory applies belated balm to wound which still causes Bruce some pain

A majestic 76th-minute winner from Sone Aluko enabled the Tigers to win on the road in the Premier League for the first time since March 4, 2009, when a last-gasp goal from Manucho gave them a 1-0 victory at Fulham.

It was a sweet success both for the Tigers, who went through the entire 2009-10 relegation season without a league away triumph, and their Geordie manager, who endured the toughest day of his managerial career on Tyneside when his Sunderland side were trounced 5-1 in an X-rated showing on Halloween 2010.

On restraining himself at the final whistle, Bruce – given a rough ride before and during the game by home supporters – said: “I couldn’t slide far enough on my knees otherwise my hip would have gone, but I was tempted; yes, I was tempted.

“Listen, that (Sunderland) defeat goes down as the worst experience of my football life, it will haunt me forever more because they’re the ones you remember – getting beat in Barcelona (as a Manchester United player) and getting hit for five by Newcastle as Sunderland manager.”

Hailing his side’s clinical touch in front of goal, the only thing previously missing from a wholly encouraging start to the season, he added: “We beat Norwich playing with 10 men for 70 minutes and we did okay against Cardiff last week.

“But the big thing for us on Saturday was we took the chances we created. That’s been the difference.”

Bruce revealed that the club are working on securing Aluko’s long-term future at the club, with the 24-year-old having made an outstanding transition to top-flight football.

Aluko’s current deal runs out next summer, but Bruce added: “Sone is enjoying it and we will try our utmost to tie him down.

“He’s another playing week-in, week-out, but the big thing for him is can he stay fit?

“We’d all be delighted to give him a contract and hopefully we’ll get him tied up.

“For me, he was the best player in the Championship last season up until Christmas. We can only try our best to keep him. Maybe I’ll have to offer him the Humber Bridge and the toll.”

The only downer for Bruce was a hamstring injury to defender James Chester, who could be out for four to six weeks.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew felt his side had been too loose and had contributed to their own downfall with the kind of defending he hoped had been eradicated since the 4-0 opening-weekend mauling at Manchester City.

However, he was at least able to console himself with two-goal Loic Remy’s contribution.

Pardew said: “That was probably the highlight for us because you can see he has got goals in him. I thought his all-round performance was good. As an individual, he can really give us a boost, but it’s the team that needs to be stronger.

“We need to function better than we did on Saturday and hopefully we can do that.”

The Magpies return to action in the Capital One Cup third round on Wednesday when they host Leeds United.