Sunderland ended a five-game winless run in the Premier League by beating Burnley 2-0 this afternoon.
The Black Cats took the lead when Connor Wickham powered in a header from Anthony Reveillere's cross.
Jermain Defoe then added a second goal before half time, as he touched in Patrick van Aanholt's delivery from close range.
Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at the events that unfolded at the Stadium of Light.
Match Statistics:
SUNDERLAND:
Shots 8
On Target 3
Possession 50%
Corners 6
Fouls 12
BURNLEY:
Shots 13
On Target 4
Possession 50%
Corners 3
Fouls 12
Was the result fair?
It was a very evenly-contested match, but it was Sunderland who made the most of their chances this afternoon to claim the points. They had not threatened too much until Wickham gave them the lead, and Defoe's strike gave them a great cushion to defend in the second half. Burnley showed plenty of determination and spirit to try to get back into the game, but they lacked a clinical finishing touch and rarely looked like getting on the scoresheet.
Sunderland's performance
Gus Poyet will have been delighted at the final result, but he will know that his team were far from their best today. They had not won in their previous five games and they made a slow start. Keeping hold of the ball was a real problem for them, but Wickham's opening goal helped them to settle. Once they doubled their lead, it seemed that they would take a firm grip of the game until the end, but they sat back and allowed their opponents time on the ball. If Burnley had been more clinical then they could have caused Sunderland real problems today, but they managed to claim a win that has moved them four points clear of the relegation zone.
Burnley's performance
The Clarets are among the lowest scorers in the Premier League and it was easy to see why this afternoon. Despite some promising build-up play and some neat exchanges in midfield, they struggled to get in behind or create any clear-cut goalscoring chances. There was also a moment in the second half when Danny Ings and George Boyd were both taken off, despite looking like Burnley's best chance of scoring. It was a strange decision from Sean Dyche and it is one that fans of the club will still be debating.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Connor Wickham: The 21-year-old played such a key part in helping Sunderland to avoid the drop last season and he could have the same vital impact this time around. He broke the deadlock with a great header that left the keeper with no chance and was involved in plenty of other good moments for the hosts.
Biggest gaffe
There were no real defensive mistakes that led to either of the goals today, but it was in attack where Burnley should have done better. Dean Marney probably had their best chance with a header from a few yards out, but his effort lacked any power and was easily saved by the keeper.
Referee's performance
It was not the most difficult game for Lee Mason to referee, despite a number of fouls from each side. The most heated moment came in stoppage time when Costel Pantilimon and Marney clashed following a corner, but the referee broke up the incident pretty quickly and ended up showing each of the players a yellow card.
What next?
Sunderland: Sunderland head to Craven Cottage on Tuesday evening to face Fulham in their FA Cup fourth-round replay.
Burnley: The Clarets return to league action next Sunday, with a clash against fellow strugglers West Bromwich Albion.
Alex Meyers
