Championship: Sunderland 0-1 Hull City – Anthony Patterson error hands Tigersl win

The Tigers began brightly but they were indebted to Patterson’s blunder to go ahead in the 18th minute.

Gelhardt’s inswinging corner from the right was not reaching any team-mates, but with Patrick Roberts obstructing him at the near post, Patterson tried to catch the ball only to divert it over the line.

Gelhardt tried his luck from another corner on the same side and Patterson this time clawed the ball up in the air, a defender clearing as it dropped inside the six-yard box.

Luke O’Nien had a headed goal ruled out for offside and Hull keeper Ivor Pandur was as unconvincing as his opposite number when Roberts tried his own luck with an inswinging corner, but the Croatian managed to flap the ball away from goal.

The visitors were hit by the loss of on-loan Aston Villa striker Louie Barry before half-time, but Sunderland suffered their own double blow as Enzo le Fee was forced off at the break with a hamstring tweak and then defender Dan Ballard limped off too.

Ballard’s injury occurred as he stretched for a vital block during another rapid Hull counter, an attack which ended with Steven Alzate fizzing a shot just wide.

Trai Hume proved to be Sunderland’s best bet for an equaliser as the Black Cats sought to crank up the pressure on a resolute defence, but his two excellent crosses saw Isidor and Bellingham both head wide, and when Hume tried his own luck with a shot, Pandur was firmly behind it.

Matt Crooks had a slick backheeled finish to another scintillating counter ruled out for offside, and Patterson was forced into a fine save to keep out Lincoln’s deflected cross, while at the other end the Black Cats could find no way through.