HT Sunderland 1-0 Bolton: Black Cats on course for win at last

Fraizer Campbell's first Premier League goal for Sunderland handed the Black Cats a precious half-time lead over Bolton.

The former Manchester United youngster struck just 44 seconds into a game in which the Black Cats were hoping for a first league victory in 15 attempts.

Darren Bent might have doubled the home side's advantage, but saw his 23rd-minute shot run just wide, and goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen made an important 36th-minute save from Kenwyne Jones as the home side dominated.

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce welcomed Steed Malbranque back into the fold for tonight's crucial Premier League clash with Bolton.

The Frenchman, who was back in contention after being left out for the goalless draw against Fulham following a breach of discipline, replaced the injured Kieran Richardson as the Black Cats attempted to end a run of 14 league games without a win.

That was the only change to the starting line-up as fellow midfielder Lee Cattermole passed a late fitness test.

Bolton boss Owen Coyle also made a single change, with Ricardo Gardner replacing the suspended Tamir Cohen.

The visitors went into the game looking to secure three successive league victories for the first time since December 2006 and having dragged themselves into 13th place, with the Black Cats slipping to 16th as a result of Wigan's victory over Liverpool last night.

Malbranque lined up on the left side of midfield with Fraizer Campbell once again occupying the right flank, and it was the former Manchester United man who got the Black Cats off to the perfect start with just 44 seconds gone.

Skipper Lorik Cana lifted the ball into the box and Campbell arrived at the far post to direct it past keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen from point-blank range and score his first league goal for the club.

The visitors responded swiftly and home keeper Craig Gordon found his goal under pressure four minutes later, although Johan Elmander's rising left-foot strike sailed wide.

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce had asked his side not to resort to the long ball as they did in their last home game against Fulham, and the message appeared to have got through as they passed and moved confidently.

Malbranque and leading scorer Darren Bent staged a pacy 11th-minute break-out which saw the striker step inside Paul Robinson before shooting straight at Jaaskelainen.

Lee Cattermole turned provide two minutes later when he crossed from the right for Campbell, but he mistimed his header and the ball looped harmlessly over the bar.

Bent went agonisingly close to a second goal with 23 minutes gone when Malbranque cleared Jack Wilshere's corner and Campbell picked him out with a superb ball over the top, but although he cut inside Gretar Steinsson, his shot ran inches wide.

Wilshere was proving a handful down the Bolton left and Cattermole was forced to concede a corner three minutes later after he was initially robbed by Gardner.

But Wanderers, renowned for their set-piece work under former boss Sam Allardyce, once again failed to make the most of the opportunity.

They found themselves in on goal a minute later when central defender Zat Knight was allowed to control a high ball and shoot from a tight angle, but he blasted his effort high over.

Cana collected the game's first booking on the half-hour when he was penalised for a foul on Gardner, and Sam Ricketts was soon to follow him with Kenwyne Jones his victim.

An open game was becoming increasingly scrappy with both sides careless in possession, but committed in the tackle.

But the Wearsiders were comfortably in the ascendancy and went close again nine minutes before the break when Malbranque picked up the ball inside his own half and fed Jones, who cut inside on to his right foot before forcing a good low save from Jaaskelainen.

Jones was getting a taste for the game and had the goalkeeper scuttling across his line again two minutes later with a well-struck 25-yard drive which did not miss the target by far.

Full-back Alan Hutton went even closer in the final minute of the half, but Bolton survived once again.