James McClean scored the only goal of the game as Sunderland claimed all three points against Stoke City at a snowy Britannia Stadium this afternoon.

The main talking point of the opening 45 minutes was the hosts' reduction to ten men. Potters defender Robert Huth went strongly into a challenge with David Meyler and referee Martin Atkinson decided that the German's actions were worthy of a straight red card.

Both sides were finding goalscoring chances hard to come by after the break, until Irish winger McClean broke the deadlock on the hour mark. The youngster rode two Stoke challenges before cutting inside and slotting the ball past Thomas Sorensen.

Stoke controlled the remainder of the match but they found goalscoring chances hard to come by as they slumped to a home defeat.