Sunderland beat Stoke City 1-0 at the Stadium of Light thanks to a goal from Adam Johnson.
The winger reacted quickest from Asmir Begovic's spilled save from Fabio Borini's shot to turn it home after 17 minutes.
Steven N'Zonzi was sent off for two bookable offences on Jozy Altidore as the Black Cats survived a late rally from the Potters.
See how the action unfolded below.
Well, far from convincing from the home side, who endured a few nervy moments, but they got the points and that is a huge boost for Gus Poyet and his side.
CHANCE! Colback drills it at goal and Begovic tips it over, it's a corner and that should be that...
Excellent from Mannone. He comes for a big cross from Cameron and decisively claims it. He's had a fine night the Italian stopper.
Sunderland win a free kick for a foul on Jack Colback on the edge of their own box. That could be that now for Stoke's rescue attempt.
It's backs-to-the-wall stuff for Sunderland here. Ki is sloppy in possession and O'Shea scrambles to help his teammate out.
CHANCE! Wes Brown nearly puts through his own net from Arnautovic's cross. So close, and the defender breaths a sigh of relief.
Excellent defending from John O'Shea who stands firm to deny Pieters after the Dutchman ran it him on the edge of the box. Sunderland have it up the Stoke end now.
CHANCE! Wes Brown so close to making it 2-0 with a glancing header. He perhaps should have hit the target there. Adam Johnson is replaced by Gardner.
Ki threads a through ball to Borini and the Italian strikes it and wins a corner with a block from Shawcross. Craig Gardner is warming up.
Goalmouth scramble see Stoke appealing for a penalty but the referee has none of it. The ball is still up there though and Shawcross goes close with a looping header that bounced off the top of the bar.
Stoke are now pushing men forward, and this could go either way in the last 10. Sunderland look as though they can fashiom a counter but Stoke are going for it.
Colback tries to release Fletcher over the top but Cameron defends it well to get back and stop it. He goes up the other end and wins a free kick in a good position for the Potters...
CHANCE! Odemwingie fashions a chance inside the box, but his effort is tame. He should have really put his foot through the ball. Mannone comfortably gathered it.
Stoke look as though they're struggling to get numbers forward. They have a fine balancing act to get right though, too much of a gung-ho attitude could leave them exposed in the final 20 minutes.
CHANCE! Wonderful hit by Larsson. He drives and drives at the defence and strikes it from 25 yards. Begovic turns it around the post. More like it from the goalkeeper.
Decent ball in by Cameron, but Wes Brown meets it with a strong header. He has been excellent for the most part since his return earlier this season, how Sunderland must be delighted to have him back out there after a lengthy layoff.
He wins a free kick on the edge of the box and that is is Altidore's last action. Fletcher comes on, and you have to feel as though the Scot offers much more of a goal threat than his teammate.
Pitchside microphone picks up Gus Poyet giving Altidore some advice: "Jozy, score, score!" inspirational stuff from the Uruguayan. It looks as though Altidore may make way for Steven Fletcher.
Sunderland clearly feel that they can take advantage here following the sending off. The fans can sense it too and they're roaring their side on.
SENDING OFF! Nzonzi is given his marching orders for his second yellow. It was petulant from the midfielder. His hands were up on Altidore's shoulder and the American took the tumble. Deserved both yellows this evening.
CHANCE! Adam Johnson tries to guide it into the far corner from the right side. Close from the England winger.
What was Glenn Whelan playing at too? He tried an elaborate backheel on the edge of his own box and lost it.
CHANCE! Well, Jozy Altidore has to score there. Six yards out, slid it along the floor and Begovic. He needed that to go in, and unfortunately for him, it should have been converted.
The wind seems to be playing its part out there. Adam's cross swings away from everyone into the arms of Mannone. How will that affect the game?
Wasted free kick. One from the training ground, but it didn't work out. With everyone expecting a cross, Larsson squares it to Johnson who clips it in to no one in particular.
Assaidi's cross evades everyone including Mannone and Ki has to scramble it behind for the corner kick.
We're just about ready for the second half at the Stadium of Light. The two teams are emerging from the tunnel as I type. There's a swap for Sunderland, with Bardsley being replaced by Ondrej Celustka
If the scores remain as they are then Sunderland will climb out of the relegation zone and that should be ample motivation for the home side this second half.
Back to this game, and the Black Cats may need a second goal if they're to win this one this evening. Stoker haven't created anything really clear cut, but they had enough possession in the final third to suggest that a goal could be forthcoming if they had a moment or two of quality.
UPDATE: Elsewhere around Europe this evening. Celtic are leading Kilmarnock 2-0 at half time, while Stuttgart are holding Bayern Munich to a 1-1 draw. Napoli and Lazio are goalless in Serie A, while Athletic Bilbao are leading Atletico Madrid 1-0 in the Copa del Rey. Barcelona kick off against Levante around 9pm.
UPDATE: There are four games in the Premier League this evening. Manchester City are leading Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 at White Hart Lane. Aston Villa and West Brom are incredibly drawing 3-3, while West Ham are holding Chelsea to a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge.
Asmir Begovic didn't cover himself in glory for the goal though. The Bosnian is usually a reliable stopper, but he let Borini's shot squirm away from him and Johnson was on hand to tap it home.
Well Sunderland will obviously be the happier of the two sides, but there was enough from Stoke to suggest that there is life in it yet for the visitors.
CHANCE! Stwrong run by Pieters nearly sets up Crouch, but the striker is nudged out of it on the six-yard box.
Mark Hughes will certainly be happier with how his team have performed the last 15 minutes or so. They have responded well since the goal in fairness to them.
Assaidi is threatening to conjure something for Stoke but so far he has failed to deliver each time. He sends another deep cross into the back post and Mannone gathers comfortably. He tries another run, but Bardsley snuffs it out for a goal kick.
Adam is booked for diving. He can't believe it, and he does have a point in fairness to the midfielder.
CHANCE! What a save from Mannone! Adam fires in a shot but it reaches Shawcross at the back post and the Italian keeper saves brilliantly from a few yards out.
There's a good ebb-and-flow to this game now. Both teams seem to believe that they can get something and are attacking each other.
Cameron swings in a low cross, but Crouch cannot connect properly and Stoke win the throw high up in the Sunderland half. Assaidi gets in the box, but Bardsley sweeps it clear.
Altidore again causing problems with his braun. He darts at the Stoke defence before Nzonzi sweeps up and commits a cynical foul on the American. Nzonzi is deservedly booked for his challenge.
Nearly a chance for Stoke as Crouch jumps with Mannone and the keeper loses it but Crouch can't quite find the net as the Italian makes a great save to deny him.
Nice approach play again as Colback find Larsson who plays in Johnson, but the winger is too predictable this time as he tries to switch it on to his left. Good defending from Stoke as he loses it and then commits a foul.
It's all Sunderland at the minute, but Marcos Alonso wastes it. He tries to shoot from 30 yards, but it goes nowhere near the goal.
Typically strong hold-up play from Altidore. He's not a natural goalscorer, but he does well with the physical battles. He wins a free kick on the halfway line after Shawcross fouls him.
It's great build-up from Sunderland until Jack Colback overhits a pass to Altidore and it goes out for a throw in. Shame for Sunderland really. Colback should have done better.
Adam fires in a long-range effort that goes just wide. Not a bad effort from the Scot, and a reminder to Sunderland, perhaps.
Only four teams have got more points from losing positions that Stoke, but they have won just once away all season, so we shall see...
The home crowd are in full voice now, reminding all that they have a day at Wembley in the offing. What have Stoke got as a response?
It's Borini's low shot that Begovic can't hold onto but Johnson races onto it and taps it home. First blood to the home side. Begovic will feel he could have done better Eight for campaign for Johnson now. A man in form.
Good appraoch play from Stoke, but Assaidi wastes it. He advances into the box and tries to use the defender as a shielf to guide it into the far corner, but the Moroccan gets it all wrong and it goes well wide.
SHOT It's Bardsley again with an ambtious effort, but this is a lot better. Great technique from the full-back as he sends a volley from Alonso's deep cross just wide.
It's nice from Johnson who races away from two Stoke players, gets his head up and sends a low cross into the box for Larsson. The Swede swipes at it though and it goes well over, again. Sunderland pressing here though...
Free kick delivered to the back post and Brown nods it acorss goal and Bardsley tries an ambitious hook on the edge of the box. It's almost an overhead kick. It goes well over the bar. Terrible effort.
There's a nice tempo to this game now. Both teams battling for possession and Charlie Adam is fortunate to escape a booking after a foul on Seb Larsson.
Assaidi, who is in fine form for the home side, races down the left and checks back onto his right. He loops a cross to the back post that Mannone has to deal with. Nevery moment for the Italian as it looped high off Ki's head. The keeper holds it though.
Stoke have started to come into the game a bit. They're clearly set up for a counter-attack game and Odemwingie can use his pace to help out Peter Crouch, who is up top alone this evening.
Adam Johnson manages to skip away from a challenge wide right but his right-footed cross was easily cut out. It's the home side on the front foot in the early going though.
"The club is immensely proud of its players for the dignified and restrained manner in which they have conducted themselves publicly since Mr Di Canio's departure and it is particularly disappointing to read such comments when there are legal obligations in place to ensure such behaviour does not occur. The club is now considering its position with its legal representatives."
"Sunderland AFC would like to express its disappointment in relation to the disparaging comments made recently by Paolo Di Canio, regarding the club and its players," read an official statement.
However, the club have since hit back at the Italian, and threatened him with legal action over his comments.
"These two players were rotten - the most unprofessional players I've ever worked with," Di Canio told The Sun.
"The reason Sunderland stayed up [last season] was because Cattermole was injured and Bardsley played very little."
After being axed as manager earlier this season, Di Canio finally broke his silence on his thoughts on some of the club's players, with particular venom reserved for Cattermole and Bardsley.
It's been an interesting week up at Sunderland, the club issued a response to former boss Paolo Di Canio’s claims that Phil Bardsley and Lee Cattermole were two of the most unprofessional players he had ever worked with.
Meanwhile, the Potters have also added to their squad this month. Stephen Ireland’s loan move has been made permanent, while John Guidetti has arrived from Manchester City. Kenwyne Jones was been swapped with Odemwingie from Cardiff City, who of course, starts tonight.
The signing of Alonso in particular has been an inspired one. The Spaniard has been a consistent performer on the that left side since joining the Sunderland.
Poyet has boosted his squad this transfer window, despite his predecessor Paolo Di Canio brining in around 13 players in the summer. The South American has added Marcos Alonso, Santiago Vergini and goalkeeper Oscar Ustari to his ranks so far.
"[Hughes] didn't call me. Some people would say the manager normally would call to say when they want a player of the other team. But he didn't call me, of that I can assure you."
He was quoted by The Metro as saying: "No-one from Stoke, directors or anyone from them, has made any formal approach or any offer [for Cattermole or Fletcher], so for them to be linked with two very important players for us before the game is a little bit disappointing.
The Potters have been linked with moves for Lee Cattermole and Steven Fletcher, but the transfer stories seem to have riled the Uruguayan coach.
Tonight’s game may just have a little bit more spice in it than usual following Poyet’s comments about Hughes and Stoke this week...
Spurs scored three past them on December 29, while Liverpool and Newcastle plundered five each against them. Very unlike the robust defensive outfit that we associate with Stoke. More worryingly for Mark Hughes was the sight of his team losing 1-0 to Crystal Palace in their last outing.
Meanwhile the visitors are on a miserable run of form, and have only taken one point from their last five games. The Potters were unlucky not to take all three points off Everton on New Year’s Day, but generally, since the festive period, they have been shipping goals at an alarming rate.
The Black Cats have enough quality to avoid the drop, but one point needs to be turned into three more regularly, and tonight would be a great time to start.
Despite Sunderland’s cup form, their Premier League form has been patchy. They have lost just once in their last seven, but have only won twice in that time. Poyet’s side must begin to turn their draws into wins.
Stoke are on a three-game losing streak in all competitions, and three points for Sunderland tonight would them to within a point of the visitors in the division.
The Black Cats must begin to replicate their cup form in the league if they are to survive though, and what better way to start than against their home fans this evening.
New signing Peter Odemwingie starts for the visitors, while as expected, Poyet has rung the changes from the side that beat Kidderminster.
SUNDERLAND: Mannone, Bardsley, Alonso, Ki, Brown, O'Shea , Johnson, Colback, Larsson, Altidore, Borini
STOKE: Begovic; Cameron, Shawcross, Wilson, Pieters; Odemwingie, Nzonzi, Adam, Whelan, Assaidi; Crouch
Last week was a massive one for Gustavo Poyet's side as they booked their place in the League Cup final with a penalties victory over Manchester United before following it up with a 1-0 win against Kidderminster Harriers in the FA Cup.
Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole’s live coverage of Sunderland’s clash with Stoke City in the Premier League.
