Jermain Defoe’s stunning goal proved the difference as Sunderland earned a fifth straight victory their fiercest rivals Newcastle to secure Dick Advocaat’s first win in charge at the Stadium of Light and ease their relegation fears.
Defoe’s strike just before half time, only his third since joining in January, was a rare moment of quality in a combative Wear-Tyne derby as John Carver’s side produced another desperate display.
Steven Fletcher wasted two opportunities to extend the Black Cats' lead in the second half, whilst Ayoze Perez spurned the visitors’ best chance by firing over late on from a corner.
The three points means Advocaat follows his predecessors Paolo Di Canio and Gus Poyet in winning in their second game as Sunderland manager against Newcastle to maintain their recent stranglehold over the Magpies.
With Sunderland looking for their first victory in eight games and Newcastle reeling after three consecutive defeats, the contest struggled for both fluency and quality in its early stages.
The hosts looked more likely and nearly went ahead when Jonas Gutierrez, making his first start in 20 months after recovering from testicular cancer, nearly diverted the ball past his own goalkeeper from Billy Jones’ fizzing low cross.
Defoe spurned the game’s first clear cut opportunity by overrunning the ball when clean through on goal, but made amends on the stroke of half time with a stunning volley uncharacteristic of the game but in keeping with a weekend of fine Premier League goals.
Costel Pantillimon launched a long punt forward, Fletcher nodded back to his strike partner and Defoe sent a brilliant looping effort over Tim Krul from 20 yards to end a run of seven games without a goal.
The strike failed to foster any more quality though, and after the break the game lulled back into a scrappy and disjointed affair as the hosts contained their rivals.
Fletcher squandered two great chances to double the home side’s lead, volleying into the
ground when he had time to take a touch and then shooting well over after cutting back on his left foot just minutes later.
Newcastle were lacklustre throughout, and their performance was summed up when Pantillimon was easily equal to Remy Cabella’s 20 yard drive before Mike Williamson denied Sebastian Larsson from point blank range.
Perez was then wasteful in a promising position, volleying over from a corner with three minutes remaining, meaning Sunderland held on for an absolutely priceless three points in their bid to avoid relegation this season.
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