Stoke 3-1 Sunderland

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Sunderland's run of four successive wins was brought to a juddering halt at the Britannia Stadium.

The Black Cats ended the game with 10 men following Sean Thornton's sending off.

But they were dead and buried by half-time, with Kevin Kyle's second-half header proving a consolation after Gifton Noel-Williams and a Darel Russell brace gave City an unassailable lead.

The hosts made much of the early running without really testing Sunderland keeper Mart Poom.

Chris Greenacre's early shot was blocked by George McCartney and a Keith Andrews effort two minutes later was dragged wide as a posse of defenders closed.

But the deadlock was broken in the 24th minute after Carl Asaba centred and Noel-Williams turned on the edge of the six-yard box and lashed an unstoppable effort past Poom.

The Sunderland almost replied straight away with Colin Healy unleashing a 25-yard effort which was batted away to safety by Potters keeper Ed de Goey.

And de Goey saved Stoke again 10 minutes before the break Kevin Kyle powered in a header that the Dutchman somehow managed to palm away on the goalline.

It proved crucial as the hosts poured forward in numbers and Asaba found Russell to smash past Poom.

Two minutes later and Russell was celebrating again as found the net courtesy of what looked to be a deflection off defender Craig James' shin.

The Black Cats came out for the second half with all guns blazing but de Goey was largely untroubled.

The visitors registered their consolation in the 54th minute when Marcus Stewart crossed from the left and Kyle headed home, de Goey having blocked the first attempt but proving unable to keep out the follow-up.

Sunderland's misery was completed with 15 minutes remaining when Thornton was dismissed after picking up a second yellow card, both for fouls on John Eustace.

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Stoke: de Goey, Russell, Thomas, Williams, Marcus Hall, Clarke, Greenacre, Eustace, Andrews, Asaba, Noel-Williams. Subs: Cutler, Akinbiyi, Iwelumo, Neal, Commons.

Sunderland: Poom, James, McCartney, Breen, Arca, Healy, Thornton, Thirlwell, Oster, Kyle, Stewart. Subs: Whitley, Ingham, Proctor, Butler, Bjorklund.

Referee: Mike Pike (Cumbria).