Danny Gabbidon of Crystal Palace scores the opening goal past goalkeeper Keiren Westwood of Sunderland during the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Sunderland at Selhurst Park on August 31, 2013 © Getty Images

The hosts opened the scoring in fortuitous circumstances after just nine minutes when Sunderland failed to clear a corner, with the ball eventually bobbling in off an unwitting Danny Gabbidon.

Jason Puncheon threatened to make it 2-0 with 10 minutes left of the first half, but his low strike from the edge of the area skimmed just wide.

Sunderland's Scottish striker Steven Fletcher scores during the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Sunderland at Selhurst Park in south London on August 31, 2013 © Getty Images

Mile Jedinak also came close before the break, flashing a 25-yard effort narrowly past the post.

Sunderland improved in the second half and found an equaliser shortly after the hour mark when Steven Fletcher arrived late into the box to meet Jack Colback's cross and plant a fine header into the bottom corner.

Dwight Gayle of Crystal Palace celebrates scoring his penalty during the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Sunderland at Selhurst Park on August 31, 2013 © Getty Images

The Black Cats' hopes of pulling off a comeback took a big blow with just over 10 minutes of the match remaining when John O'Shea brought down Dwight Gayle inside the area.

O'Shea was shown a straight red card by the referee, while Gayle added insult to injury by picking himself up and dispatching the spot kick.

Palace wrapped up the three points in injury time of the second half when Stuart O'Keefe curled the ball into the top corner from 25 yards.