Sunderland have been the better side during the opening 45 minutes of their Premier League encounter with Wigan Athletic, although the scores remain level at half time.
It was visitors Wigan that had the first chance to break the deadlock, but Simon Mignolet made a superb sprawling save to deny Arouna Kone.
The Black Cats responded well and have piled the pressure on Ali Al-Habsi's goal.
Ivan Ramis has cleared an effort off the line, while Steven Fletcher has headed wide from very close range.