Ross Stewart scored the only goal of the game as Sunderland saw off Stoke City to claim their second victory of the season. The Black Cats had to work hard to secure the points at the bet365 Stadium against a physical Potters side, and at times they needed goalkeeper Anthony Patterson to come up with some crucial saves.
But Stewart's third goal of the season came in first-half injury-time and - with Sunderland keeping their first clean sheet since returning to the Championship - that was enough to settle matters. It was the perfect response to Sunderland's midweek defeat at Sheffield United, which was their first setback since promotion.
And this win meant Alex Neil's side climbed back up to fifth in the table, having collected eight points from their first five games of the campaign. Neil was forced into one change to the line-up that started at Sheffield United, with midfielder Dan Neil sitting the game out through suspension after his red card at Bramall Lane and his place was taken by Jay Matete.
