ENGLAND striker Kevin Phillips grabbed his eighth goal of the season to snatch the points for Sunderland against West Ham United at the Stadium of Light.
A drab game looked destined to end goalless when Argentinian winger Julio Arca regained possession in the 85th minute and centred from the left for Phillips to nip in ahead of England keeper David James to force the ball home from ten yards.
It was Sunderland's second consecutive home win but they had to thank Danish international goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen for keeping them in the game with two magnificent saves just after half time.
Sorensen saved a stining shot from striker Jermaine Defoe in the 47thy minute and somehow pushed a follow-up shot from Tynesider Michael Carrick against the crossbar.
The game picked up after half time but was hardly a good advertisement for Premiership football before a crowd of 47,437.
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