Sunderland 3 Birmingham City 1

Last updated : 20 March 2010 By Footymad Previewer

Bent's 20th and 21st goals of the season put the hosts in the driving seat early on against the Blues, but Steve Bruce's side had to endure a second-half barrage from Blues before emerging victorious.

The Black Cats were in front after just five minutes. The ball fell to Benjani, in for the injured Kenwyne Jones, and the Zimbabwe star's effort was blocked into the path of Bent, who fired past Joe Hart in the City goal.

Six minutes later that man Bent was on target again as Steed Malbranque found him with a crossfield pass. The striker cut inside Scott Dann and fired across Hart to make it 2-0.

It could have been 3-0 inside the first quarter of an hour as Alan Hutton put in Kieran Richardson, whose shot was blocked out for a corner. And a minute later Fraizer Campbell forced an excellent save out of Hart.

The hosts didn't have it all their own way in the opening 45 minutes as Keith Fahey forced two good saves out of Craig Gordon on 22 and 24 minutes. The Scot made another save to deny Christian Benitez just five minutes later.

The Cats hit back on 37 minutes as Richardson forced a superb stop from Hart and four minutes later the midfielder turned provider squaring to Malbranque, who fired just wide of the upright from the edge of the box.

Just before the break the Blues had a chance to reduce the deficit, but Cameron Jerome fired high and wide with the goal seemingly at his mercy.

The visitors emerged with far attacking intent after the restart and forced the Wearsiders on to the back foot for long spells.

And Gordon had to be at his best to deny Jerome with his feet on 54 minutes.

The second half also saw the introduction of former Sunderland hero Kevin Phillips, who came on to replace Benitez, while James McFadden came on for Fahey.

McFadden's impact was immediate as he played a ball down the line for Jerome to outsprint Michael Turner and fire past Gordon to make it 2-1.

Buoyed by the goal, Blues came forward with renewed purpose, while the hosts were forced to defend for their lives.

Luckily for Bruce, Gordon was on top form and made further saves to deny Liam Ridgewell and Jerome.

The Black Cats were forced to rely on breaks to try to ease the pressure and Bent almost rounded off a fine afternoon on 87 minutes.

Sub Lee Cattermole played in the striker, who hooked the ball over Hart but couldn't get enough power on it and Roger Johnson easily got back to clear the goalbound effort.

A minute later it was all over as a contest as Jordan Henderson burst down the right, the Sunderland youngster got a lucky bounce after appearing to have lost the ball, and crossed in for Campbell to slide the ball home for 3-1.