Sunderland ended their barren run of 14 games without a win by beating Bolton Wanderers 4-0 at the Stadium of Light in the Premier League.

Frazier Campbell gave the Black Cats the best possible start with the fastest goal of the season so far after just 41 seconds. Bolton recovered well, however, and Sunderland's second goal, scored by Darren Bent just after the hour mark, came totally against the run of play.

The result was put beyond any doubt with 20 minutes remaining when Sam Ricketts conceded a penalty and received his second yellow card for a clumsy challenge in the area on Bent, who sent Jussi Jaaskelainen the wrong way from the spot.



Bent completed his hat-trick with two minutes remaining, firing home at the near post from Campbell's cross.

The result sees Sunderland move up to 13th in the table, six points clear of the relegation zone, while Bolton slip to 14th, a point behind their opponents.

Sunderland fans could have been forgiven for anticipating the visit of Bolton with a sense of foreboding given their team's dismal run of form, though Campbell ensured they were soon in high spirits in lightning quick time.

Lorik Cana flicked the ball up on the edge of the area before hoisting a high, hopeful ball to the back post where Campbell stole in ahead of his marker to volley home from close range.

Despite the scenes of jubilation amongst the home fans, Bolton refused to panic, and regained their composure to put a sustained spell of pressure on their opponents. Johan Elmander went close to levelling matters within minutes, though he saw his shot squeeze just past the post.

Bent broke clear on the counter to test Jaaskelainen with a low shot on 11 minutes, though it was Bolton who shaded the possession as the game progressed.

The visitors' defence was horribly exposed midway through the half, however, as a fine pass from Campbell picked out Bent in the area, but after cutting inside and shifting the ball past the reach of the keeper, the striker put his low shot wide of the target.

Michael Turner and John Mensah coped admirably with the aerial threat posed by Elmander and Kevin Davies in the Bolton attack, though the Trotters defence was undone once again as Alan Hutton raced clear just before half-time - like Bent, he failed to keep his shot on target.

The tempo of the game moved up a notch at the start of the second half as Bolton piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser, though they were caught out by the pace of Bent just after the hour mark.

He received the ball from Lee Cattermole and raced past Ricketts, before powering a shot that squirmed through the body of Jaaskelainen.

Bolton boss Owen Coyle reacted immediately, replacing the underwhelming Elmander with Ivan Klasnic, though the Croat could only look on as his side conceded their third goal moments later.

Bent once again got goal side of Ricketts, and a push in the back from the defender saw referee Steve Bennett point to the spot and show Ricketts his second yellow card. As he trudged down the tunnel, Bent fired home the spot-kick.

The striker completed his hat-trick with two minutes remaining, sweeping Campbell's cross home to give the home fans the warm feeling of success they had not experienced in the Premier League since November.
Michael FitzGerald / Eurosport

Source: uk.eurosport.com