Darren Bent struck a second-half hat-tick for Sunderland as they sealed a 4-0 victory over Bolton.
Winless run ends for Mackems as Ricketts sees red
Darren Bent struck a second-half hat-tick for Sunderland, who ended a 14-game winless run with a 4-0 victory over Bolton on Tuesday night.
Strike partner Fraizer Campbell had earlier handed the Black Cats a perfect start as he grabbed the fastest goal of the Premier League season with a volley after just 41 seconds.
Sunderland were worthy of their slender lead at the break but emerged for the second period in rampant fashion, and Bent kick-started his evening with the second goal on 64 minutes.
Ten minutes later, Bolton were reduced to ten men as Sam Ricketts received his second yellow card after tripping Bent inside the penalty area. The striker picked himself up to nestle the spot-kick into the bottom corner and put the home side in full control.
Bent then completed his hat-trick three minutes from time with a well worked goal, slotting the ball home to restate his claim for a place in England's World Cup squad this summer with his 18th Premier League goal of the season.
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce welcomed Steed Malbranque back into the starting line-up.
The Frenchman, who was back in contention after being left out of the goalless draw against Fulham last weekend following a breach of discipline, replaced the injured Kieran Richardson.
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.
Perfect start
The Black Cats got off to the perfect start as Lorik Cana beautifully controlled on the edge of the penalty area before hooking the ball towards the back post where Campbell was unmarked to stab a volley against the ground and into the roof of the net inside the opening minute.
The Trotters had the ball in the back of the net themselves soon after, but the goal was ruled out after Gretar Steinsson's long throw evaded all targets before being intentionally left by alert Sunderland keeper Craig Gordon to bounce untouched and illegally into the net.
Campbell was at the thick of the action in the early stages and it was he who set up a golden opportunity for Bent with a pass from the outside of his right foot splitting the Bolton defence.
Just 23 minutes had gone when Bent collected the pass before cutting inside onto his right foot but could only drag his effort wide of the far post despite keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen struggling for position.
Cana went into the book on the half hour mark after dragging Ricardo Gardner to the floor. The booking was his tenth of the season, earning him a two-match ban.
Kenwyne Jones tried his luck from outside the penalty box after 34 minutes after he collected a Malbranque pass and fizzed an effort towards goal, only to see Jaaskelainen tip wide at his near post.
A minute before the break, Alan Hutton failed the make the most of a Sunderland counter-attack after he was played in on the right by Jones.
The Scot had an unmarked Bent screaming for a pass at the back post but he chose to cut inside before screwing his shot harmlessly wide to his team-mate's frustration.
Second-half
Fabrice Muamba was forced off in the early stages of the re-start after a clash of knees with Campbell. On-loan Manchester City youngster Vladimir Weiss replaced him as the game began to open up.
Sunderland finally had the cushion they
