Sunderland 1, Man Utd 2

Sunderland restored some faith with an impressive display against the Premier League title favourites. Sir Alex Ferguson's men had to rely on a moment of luck 15 minutes from time to secure the three points which moved them back to the top of the table.

If the Black Cats can produce the same level of performance over the last six games, they should stay in the Premier League with plenty to spare.

Things looked gloomy for the home side when Paul Scholes headed Wayne Rooney's cross into the far corner in the 19th minute.

But Sunderland rolled up their sleeves and produced the type of gritty display that should stand them in good stead over the final half-a-dozen games.

Kenwyne Jones and Djibril Cisse were on the same wavelength for most of the game and both went close in the first half before Jonny Evans, once a favourite here, turned Carlos Edwards' cross against the post.

Manchester United were lucky to go into the break in front as Sunderland ended the first half in the ascendency.

Rooney, United's best player, nearly extended the away side's lead shortly after half-time, smashing right-foot shot just wide.

Sunderland equalised in the 55th minute and the goal was made by Teemu Tainio, who found himself on the left wing, crossing for Jones to bundle a shot past Ben Foster after the keeper had kept out his initial header.

Tainio produced an eye-catching performance and if Sunderland can keep him fit until the end of May, it will surely help their bid to stay up.

The goal lifted the Wearsiders but United, with so much big-game experience, were not phased and Scholes nearly finished off a great move in the 58th minute, his bullet-like shot going just past the post.

Sunderland, captained by the impressive ex-United man Phil Bardsley, defended as if their lives depended on it, making block after block to deny the European champions.

With the game flowing from end to end, Cisse hooked a shot into the side-netting in the 69th minute.

Ferguson introduced Federic Macheda, the injury-time hero in United's 3-2 win over Aston Villa a week earlier, in the 74th minute and again the Italian youngster was the talisman.

With his first touch, the 17-year-old steered Michael Carrick's wayward shot past Craig Gordon to put United back in front, and Sunderland could not find a second equaliser.

It was the kind of performance Sunderland's players - and fans - craved as they looked to end a three-game losing run.

But it will mean little if they don't reproduce it against fellow strugglers Hull next weekend.

(from SAFC.com )