Ricky Sbragia enjoyed a second successive victory as Sunderland caretaker-boss as his side beat Hull City 4-1.
Joy for Sbragia as Sunderland record back-to-back wins
Ricky Sbragia enjoyed a second successive victory as Sunderland caretaker-boss with the Black Cats winning 4-1 at Hull City.
The triumph took the visitors clear of the relegation zone with Sbragia's men bagging four goals for the second time in a fortnight for good measure.
The scoreline was harsh on the Tigers who fought back well after Steed Malbranque gave the visitors a tenth minute lead.
The home side were level after 19 minutes when Nick Barmby scrambled in his first top flight goal in more than five years and they looked likely to go on and clinch the game before Kieran Richardson saw his shot deflected beyond Boaz Myhill to put the visitors back in front.
As the Tigers looked to get back on terms, defender Sam Ricketts was dismissed for two yellow cards allowing Sunderland to pick off their hosts in the closing stages.
Kenwyne Jones added a third, heading in Malbranque's pinpoint cross before Djibril Cisse completed a great afternoon for the Black Cats with a fierce drive.
Barmby, making his fourth successive start, had the first shot on goal when a Nyron Nosworthy header fell at his feet but he dragged his long-range effort wide.
Malbranque showed him how it could be done with a brilliant strike to give Sunderland the lead after 10 minutes.
The Frenchman was found in good space by Danny Collins 20 yards from goal and he calmly picked his spot and clipped a sweet shot beyond Myhill.
But City showed more of the resilience that continues to serve them so well in their remarkable maiden top-flight campaign and were level nine minutes later.
It came from a long Myhill ball with Michael Turner getting forward to reach a Zayatte flick-on and shoot at Marton Fulop.
The goalkeeper saved from point-blank range but Barmby was lurking in the area and blasted home in the ensuing goalmouth scramble.
Unfortunate
It was his first goal in the Premier League since finding the target for Leeds in a win over Aston Villa in May 2003.
City stepped up the pressure and were unfortunate not to take lead after dominating the rest of the first half.
Barmby was at the heart of much of their attacking play and both he and Geovanni forced saves out of Fulop.
Turner also headed over from a Marlon King cross after Sunderland failed to clear a corner.
A Nosworthy mistake then allowed Ian Ashbee to seize possession but King was unable to take advantage and shot well wide.
Geovanni then brought a good save out of Fulop with a dipping free-kick from 20 yards.
Fulop flapped at the resulting corner and his goal looked in danger as Ashbee fired in a shot but referee Mike Riley blew for a foul on the goalkeeper.
Malbranque should have restored Sunderland's lead against the run of play but missed the target from 10 yards just before the interval.
Sunderland were much steadier after the break and cancelled out the hosts' attacking threat.
It was not until just before the hour that either goal was threatened again as Richardson found space and extended Myhill from 25 yards.
City changed their approach with striker Daniel Cousin coming on to replace Garcia. He was almost immediately into the action after Ricketts broke into the area but Anton Ferdinand intercepted.
Barmby's hard-working shift came to an end after 67 minutes when replaced by Stelios Giannakopoulos.
Cousin had the ball in the net on 72 minutes after good work by Geovanni but was flagged offside.
Sunderland came again and Richardson got lucky when his shot hit Zayatte and wrong-footed Myhill.
Things got worse for the home side three minutes later as Ricketts, having just been booked for a foul on Malbranque, was given a second yellow card for a poor challenge on Phil Bardsley.
Sunderland took advantage of their numerical advantage and killed off the game six minutes from time when Malbranque fired in a cross and Jones headed home from close range.
There was still time for more as Cisse broke clear in injury time and shot low past Myhill.
| Hull City |
Team Statistics |
Sunderland |
| 1 |
Goals |
4 |
| 1 |
1st Half Goals |
1 |
| 6 |
Shots on Target |
6 |
| 7 |
Shots off Target |
8 |
| 3 |
Blocked Shots |
2 |
| 6 |
Corners |
6 |
| 20 |
Fouls |
11 |
| 4 |
Offsides |
1 |
| 2 |
Yellow Cards |
1 |
| 1 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 69.8 |
Passing Success |
72.3 |
| 27 |
Tackles |
25 |
| 63 |
Tackles Success |
68 |
| 48.9 |
Possession |
51.1 |
| 49 |
Territorial Advantage |
51 |
|
