Two goals in two minutes late in the game gave Sunderland a 2-0 victory over Stoke City on Saturday that took the Black Cats out of the relegation zone.

Dutch forward Patrick Van Aanholt and English youngster Duncan Watmore scored inside the final 10 minutes to punish 10-man Stoke who had Ryan Shawcross sent-off for two bookings.

The result moved Sam Allardyce's men above north-east rivals Newcastle United and out of the Premier League's bottom three.

But until Shawcross's dismissal, Stoke had been the better side and had created the clearer chances.

A tepid first half saw Sunderland lose striker Jermain Defoe to a thigh injury around the half-hour mark.

Moments later, Stoke almost went ahead but Costel Pantilimon produced a miraculous save from Jon Walters's close range shot.

Just as the half drew to a close, Charlie Adam went close for the visitors but glanced his header over the bar.

Sunderland had enjoyed plenty of possession but looked toothless up front.

That all changed, though, after Shawcross's 47th minute sending off as he received a second yellow for tripping Watmore, having been booked in the first half for a foul on Steven Fletcher.

That was the cue for Sunderland to turn the screw and Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland had to make two saves in quick succession from Yann M'Vila and a Sebastian Coates header.

But 10 minutes from time, the away side's resistence crumbled as Van Aanholt sent home a screamer from 25 yards.

Two minutes later, Watmore broke free down the right after a defensive error before drilling home low across goal.

That gave Allardyce a third win in six games since replacing Dick Advocaat and strengthened the feeling around the Stadium of Light that they have the right manager to beat the drop this season.