Stoke City 1-0 Sunderland: Cannon goal gives managerless Potters victory

Johansson denied Milan Aleksic and Trai Hume in a lively first half but it was his save from Adil Aouchiche, low to his left at the near post after the forward charged into the area from the right flank, which stood out.

It was not all one-way traffic with both Cannon and Lewis Koumas testing at the other end.

Koumas was again unable to beat Patterson 20 minutes into the second half, with Chris Mepham clearing the ball off the line in the aftermath.

Aouchiche hit the woodwork for Sunderland and then two minutes later delivered a cross to Eliezer Mayenda, only to see him put his header from six yards out wide of the post.

It was an awful miss and one punished by Cannon, who was cautioned for excessive celebration following his goal.

Sunderland had one last chance to level deep into injury time but Mepham’s effort from the edge of the box was saved to his right by Johansson.

Regis Le Bris’ side remain fourth but still four points adrift of Leeds in the second automatic promotion spot, with the West Yorkshire side in a later kick-off against Derby County.

For Stoke, a sixth win of their campaign, saw them move up to 18th place, four points away from the danger zone at the foot of the table.