Sunderland saved the best for last as they won a Barclays Premiership game on their own ground for the first time this season - at the final attempt - with a 2-1 victory over Fulham.

After 28 top-flight matches dating back to December 15, 2002, goals from Anthony le Tallec and Chris Brown - his first in the Premiership - either side of half-time saw the Black Cats fend off another unwanted record.

Sunderland had to endure a tense final 14 minutes after Tomasz Radzinski pulled a goal back for the visitors, but for the first time since Liverpool left Wearside empty handed three and a half years ago, three Premiership points were banked by the home side.