A Darren Bent double secured all three points for Sunderland against Birmingham City.
Both Bent goals came within the first 10 minutes, and both were close-range efforts, tapped home by the England hopeful inside the six-yard box after good work by Steed Malbranque.
Birmingham had Joe Hart to thank for keeping them somewhat in touch as he pulled off a superb save from Malbranque just minutes later.
After that terrific start, Birmingham managed to fight their way back into the game, with Cameron Jerome proving the biggest threat to the home side’s goal.
The Blues striker was presented with a gilt-edged chance after 30 minutes, but he blazed a Liam Ridgewell cross over when it was easier to score.
The second half was a similar story, with Jerome through one-on-one with the Black Cat’s ‘keeper Craig Gordon shortly after the break but he allowed the Scottish international to deny him.
But, just minutes later, Jerome tucked away his most difficult chance of the day, coolly evading the Sunderland defenders to slot one home for Birmingham.
His strike partner Christian Benitez then tried to get in on the act, forcing a good save out of Gordon and when Stephen Carr followed up the rebound, Gordon was equal to it again.
It was looking like a good day for both custodians as both made further good stops, especially Gordon as Ridgewell tested him with a drive 15 from the end.
Alex McLeish threw on former Sunderland hero Kevin Phillips but he was unable to get a crucial second and Frazier Campbell wrapped up the game with Sunderland’s third two minutes before the end.