Sunderland 0-1 West Ham United

Valon Behrami's first goal for West Ham was enough to give them a much-needed victory over a below-par Sunderland.

Behrami's shot took a deflection off Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones to beat stranded keeper Marton Fulop.

Sunderland had penalty appeals turned down when Jones and Djibril Cisse went down in the area.

Behrami should have added a second but hit the bar from five yards out, while Sunderland striker Cisse was guilty of missing a number of chances.

The Hammers' reward for a battling defensive performance was a first victory in eight games to ease some of the pressure on manager Gianfranco Zola.

Sunderland suffered a fourth home defeat of the Premier League season - and a third in a row - on a thoroughly frustrating afternoon for their fans and manager Roy Keane.

Sunderland boss Roy Keane:
"We are disappointed with the goal we gave away. We didn't defend the set piece, particularly the second ball, and we got punished for it.

"We had chances but we didn't test their keeper enough. In the Premier League you have to take your chances.

"We felt we didn't deserve to lose the game. We are disappointed with one or two decisions in terms of fairly clear-cut penalties.

"But we have to learn to get something even on our off days."

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola on their recent run:
"It's been very difficult.

"You walk into the dressing room after your team has played well and you have to try to cheer them up. But they have character and they proved it today.

"The defence was unbelievable, particularly Matt Upson and James Collins who were outstanding."

Sunderland: Fulop, Bardsley, Nosworthy, Ferdinand, Collins, Malbranque (Edwards 66), Whitehead, Reid (Murphy 66), Richardson, Jones (Diouf 81), Cisse.
Subs Not Used: Colgan, Tainio, Colback, Henderson.

Booked: Reid, Bardsley.

West Ham: Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Faubert (Boa Morte 76), Parker, Bowyer (Mullins 61), Behrami, Bellamy (Di Michele 87), Cole.
Subs Not Used: Lastuvka, Davenport, Collison, Sears.

Booked: Bowyer.

Goals: Behrami 20.

Att: 35,222.

Ref: Mike Dean (Wirral).