Sunderland have won for the first time in five games and given their hopes of avoiding relegation a huge boost by defeating Manchester United 2-1 at the Stadium of Light.
Lowly Sunderland took the lead after just two minutes when Wahbi Khazri, on his home debut, curled over a free kick from the left that missed everyone and snuck in at the far post as United keeper, David de Gea, waited for a touch that never came.
The Black Cats went into Saturday’s match without a win in 13 league games against top-half sides, but they were close to doubling their lead soon after the opener when Jermain Defoe managed to work a shooting opportunity in a crowded penalty area before failing to make contact, with only De Gea to beat from close range.
The hosts’ early momentum was somewhat dented when Jan Kirchhoff had to be taken off injured after just a quarter of an hour and United soon grew into the contest.
Louis van Gaal’s men took half an hour to manage a shot and it was one that tested Vito Mannone when Juan Mata curled first time for the far corner, but Mannone was alert and held comfortably.
It was another Mata shot which led to the visitors’ equaliser in the 39th minute.
This time Mannone could only parry it out and Anthony Martial quickly reacted to the loose ball before dinking over the Sunderland keeper and into the corner from a tight angle.
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