Steve Bruce is relishing the prospect of an all-Yorkshire FA Cup Semi-Final after guiding his Hull City side to the penultimate round of this season’s competition.
Three goals in ten second-half minutes was enough to give Bruce’s side a comfortable 3-0 victory over Sunderland – and secure a date at Wembley with fellow Yorkshire club Sheffield United.
"I'm delighted for everyone," said Bruce.
I've seen the scenes at Bramall Lane today and now we've got a big Yorkshire derby to look forward to at Wembley, which will be a magnificent occasion for everyone."
FA Cup Semi-Finals
Arsenal v Wigan Athletic
Hull City v Sheffield United
Fixtures to be played on 12 & 13 April
Tigers captain Curtis Davies headed his side into a 68th-minute lead from a Tom Huddlestone free-kick, and four minutes later David Meyler fired past Lee Cattermole to get on the end of George Boyd's long ball upfield and slot past Ustari.
Sunderland's misery was complete when Cattermole's back-pass let in Matty Fryatt to seal the home side's win and their historic trip to Wembley.
In a further twist to the forthcoming Semi-Final, Bruce will be up against the club at which he started his managerial career.
The 53-year-old was in charge at Bramall Lane for the 1998/99 season – when he guided the Blades to eighth place in the old First Division (now the Championship).
Meyler celebrates his strike
"Sheffield United gave me my chance in management a long, long time ago,” Bruce added.
Meanwhile, Bruce’s opposite number Gus Poyet said that while he was obviously disappointed to miss out on another trip to Wembley – he would not be placing any blame on his players despite the individual mistakes.
He said: "If you hide and you're not in the game and do nothing to take a risk, then for sure you're not going to make any (mistakes).
"That's the bad side of football - the ones that take responsibility and the ones that care, they are the ones who are in the position to make the mistakes - that's football."
