Eliezer Mayenda’s goal in the first half helped Sunderland to move closer to the automatic promotion spots in the Sky Bet Championship with a 1-0 win over Derby.
Sunderland, who had not won in their last three away games, came into the match looking to end that winless streak. They dominated the first half and confirmed their superiority with Mayenda’s fourth goal of the season.
Derby increased the pressure in the second half in an attempt to avoid their fifth straight league defeat. The visitors defended bravely, with goalkeeper Anthony Patterson making three crucial saves.
Wilson Isidor, who missed two penalties in their previous match against Burnley, had a goal disallowed by a late whistle in the second half. Nevertheless, Sunderland held on for the victory.
The visitors took the lead in the 28th minute through a well-taken goal by Mayenda after a swift move orchestrated by Jobe Bellingham.
New signing Enzo Le Fee came close to scoring with a free-kick, but Derby's goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom made a diving save to keep the score at 1-0.
Derby struggled to create chances and finally tested Patterson with a header from Ebou Adams in the 43rd minute.
Sunderland almost doubled their lead with a quick counter-attack, but Kenzo Goudmijn made a crucial block to deny Isidor's shot.
Derby pushed for an equalizer in the second half, with Corey Blackett-Taylor providing crosses for Lars-Jorgen Salvesen, who was denied twice by Patterson.
Despite Derby's efforts, they couldn't find the target from set-pieces, with Dajaune Brown missing a header from a corner.
Sunderland thought they had scored a second goal, but it was controversially ruled out after a conversation between the referee and an assistant referee.
After the match, referee Sam Allison explained to Isidor that the disallowed goal was due to a collision with Adams before he scored.