West Ham eclipse Sunderland

Frederic Kanoute scores the winner for West Ham

Sunderland 0-1 West Ham United

Frederic Kanoute was transformed from West Ham United's villain to hero as they sealed an FA Cup quarter-final place with a deserved win at Sunderland.

The gifted French striker missed chances to give Harry Redknapp's side another notable away victory after their fourth round win at Manchester United.

But he redeemed himself and sent 5,000 travelling Hammers fans into ecstasy at The Stadium of Light with a composed 75th minute finish.

We worked well today, so I think we deserved the victory

  Stuart Pearce

It was a victory West Ham's cultured approach play merited against under-strength Sunderland, but one they appeared destined not to achieve as they wasted a series of opportunities.

Sunderland were robbed of influential pair Don Hutchison and Michael Gray through suspension - although Emerson Thome returned after injury.

The central figure in a disappointing first half was Kanoute, both for the chances he missed and the number of times he was caught offside.

Kanoute - goal hero

Kanoute was sent clear by Christian Dailly after five minutes, but an uncharacteristically poor first touch allowed Sunderland goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen to claim easily.

And twice more inside the first quarter of an hour Kanoute wasted opportunities to give West Ham the lead.

Joe Cole's astute pass caught the Sunderland defence square, but Kanoute's shot bobbled wide.

And then a timely tackle from Stefan Schwarz halted Kanoute in full stride in the penalty area after his searing pace took him away from Stanislav Varga.

There was a nice shape about the team and it's another fantastic win for us

  West Ham manager Harry Redknapp

Varga was then an early casualty, limping off through injury to be replaced by youngster George McCartney.

Sunderland were clearly missing their absent stars, but the recalled Jon Oster almost made the breakthrough on the half hour after weaving his way into the danger area, but shot weakly wide.

The Wearsiders were frustrated at their failure to take control, and it surfaced as Thome, Darren Williams and Julio Arca were booked in quick succession.

And in an incident that summed up the opening period, Kanoute had the final chance of the opening period after 44 minutes, but he was again denied by Sorensen.

Sunderland upped the tempo after the break, using the towering Niall Quinn as the focal point for their attacking efforts.

They defended really well, but I think it was probably a wrong decision by our goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen for their goal

  Sunderland manager Peter Reid

Sebastien Schemmel was booked as West Ham showed the first signs of feeling any pressure.

And Quinn squandered what was arguably Sunderland's best chance after 65 minutes, failing to control Chris Makin's pass when unmarked in the penalty area.

West Ham were missing the chances they were carving out, and none more wastefully than Lampard when he shot tamely at Sorensen after being put clear by Nigel Winterburn.

Quinn - focal point

But West Ham finally got the goal their approach play deserved, and almost inevitably it was Kanoute who did the damage.

Sunderland were continuing to defend high up the pitch, leaving them vulnerable to Kanoute's pace.

And the French striker made amends for his earlier misses when Lampard turned creator to send him clear after 75 minutes, but Sunderland will question goalkeeper Sorensen's decision to race recklessly from goal.

It made Kanoute's decision for him, and he rolled home an easy chance with Sorensen stranded.

And Kanoute almost doubled West Ham's advantage inside a minute, but shot narrowly wide.

But there was no denying West Ham their win, and they celebrated in style at the final whistle.

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Sunderland: Sorensen, Makin, Williams, Varga, Thome, McCann, Schwarz, Arca, Oster, Quinn, Phillips. Subs: Macho, McCartney, Thirlwell, Lumsdon, Dichio.

West Ham: Hislop, Stuart Pearce, Winterburn, Dailly, Schemmel, Stimac, Carrick, Cole, Lampard, Di Canio, Kanoute. Subs: Forrest, Tihinen, Ian Pearce, Moncur, Suker.

Referee: A Wiley (Burntwood).