Result: Sunderland 1-0 Liverpool

Nicklas Bendtner
© PA Photos
A fortuitous goal from Nicklas Bendtner was enough for Sunderland to claim all three points from their home fixture against Liverpool at the Stadium of Light this afternoon.

Hosts Sunderland went close to breaking the deadlock in the seventh minute, but John O'Shea was unable to get his headed effort from Sebastian Larsson's cross on target.

Liverpool had the better of the possession during the opening 45 minutes, although they found goalscoring chances hard to come by.

The closest they came was in the 43rd minute when Charlie Adam's strike from distance was tipped over the bar by Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.

After Jack Colback had gone close shortly after the restart for Sunderland, Bendtner's winning strike arrived in the 56th minute.

Fraizer Campbell's initial effort struck the post, before hitting Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina on the back. The ball rebounded off the woodwork again and Bendtner reacted quickest to score from close range.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish responded by introducing captain Steven Gerrard and Andy Carroll into the action, but the attacking duo were unable to inspire their side to find an equaliser.

The Reds have now lost four of their last five away matches in the Premier League.
Tables
TeamPGDPTS
1Manchester United384389
2Manchester City383278
3Chelsea383675
4Arsenal383573
5Tottenham Hotspur382072
6Everton381563
7Liverpool382861
8West Bromwich Albion38-449
9Swansea City38-446
10West Ham United38-846
11Norwich City38-1744
12Fulham38-1043
13Stoke City38-1142
14Southampton38-1141
15Aston Villa38-2241
16Newcastle United38-2341
17Sunderland38-1339
RWigan Athletic38-2636
RReading38-3028
RQueens Park Rangers38-3025