Sunderland 2-0 Southampton

Kevin Phillips narrowly missed a hat-trick as Sunderland completed a 2-0 win over Saints to put them third in the Premiership.

The striker consolidated his place as the Premiership's most prolific goalscorer - 19 for the season - but had a penalty eight minutes from time saved by Southampton substitute goalkeeper Neil Moss.

All told it was a dull match at the Stadium of Light, barely enlivened by the home side's two goals.

The first booking came after just six minutes when Chris Makin fouled Hassan Kachloul. The Morrocan was also booked for dissent.

It took half-an-hour for the home side to open the scoring as Niall Quinn gathered a flick-on from a Michael Gray free-kick and pushed the ball to Phillips.

The striker muscled through the visitors' defence to score, but connected with Saints' first choice keeper Paul Jones in the process, fracturing his cheek and forcing him to leave the field.

Stefan Schwarz's best contribution in a generally quiet match from him was a swerving strike from 20 yards that went wide.

Saints boss Dave Jones brought on the out-of-favour Matt Le Tissier after 66 minutes, although not even his maverick style of play could pick up this stodgy encouter.

On 82 minutes, Phillips had a cast-iron opportunity to bag a brace and put the match beyond doubt after he was brought down by Lundekvam, but Moss knocked the low, right-sided shot away.

Making his debut, Kevin Kilbane finally set up Phillips for goal number 19 with a cross in from the left that Quinn nodded towards the far post for his strike partner to convert.

Teams:

Sunderland:Sorensen, Makin, Butler, Bould, Gray, Summerbee, Roy, McCann, Schwarz, Quinn, Phillips. Subs: Kilbane, Marriott, Reddy, Williams, Rae.

Southampton: Jones, Tessem, Lundekvam, Richards, Benali, Ripley, Soltvedt, Oakley, Dodd, Kachloul, Pahars. Subs: Moss, Le Tissier, Beattie, Davies, Boa Morte.

Referee: M Reid (Birmingham)