AGAINST all the odds Sunderland ended Leeds United's unbeaten Premiership record by notching up their first home victory in the top flight over the Championship contenders for 21 years in a thrilling game at the Stadium of Light.

And it was a superb second goal from England striker Kevin Phillips which clinched the points against a richly-talented Yorkshire outfit which had won its previous 11 matches against the Wearsiders.

Sundrerland had lost three of their previous four matches to slump alarmingly down towards the danger zone, but they rose to the occasion in front of a 48,005 crowd and had Leeds on the ropes in a fierce second-half onslaught.

Leeds, however, had been on top in the first period and Sunderland had to thank their goalkeeper, Thomas Sorensen, for two fine saves as Leeds - unbeaten in 14 Premiership games - looked to climb back to the top of the table ahead of Liverpool.

But it was not to be and after Julio Arca had given Sunderland a 48th minute lead with a goal which must have disappointed England keeper Nigel Martyn, Phillips grabbed his seventh of the season.

Sunderland manager Peter Reid brought off a double surprise when he dropped central defender Stanislav Varga and former Swedish international Stefan Schwarz, bringing in Darren Williams and Paul Thirlwell as he reverted to a 4-4-2 formation in the absence of the injured Jody Craddock.

The Wearsiders came close to taking a shock lead in the sixth minute when a short corner brought a centre from the right from Jason McAteer and Williams beat goalkeeper Martyn with his ten-yard header, only to see Oliver Dacourt clear off the line.

It was a bright start by Sunderland and striker Phillips was just unable to take advantage of hesitation in the heart of the Leeds defence after more good work on the right by McAteer.

Sunderland midfielder Gavin McCann was spoken to for a foul on David Batty and when the ball went upfield Seth Johnson was fouled just outside the penalty area by Emerson Thome, only for Ian Harte to put his curling left-foot free kick over the bar.

Thome was very fortunate to get away with a deliberate stamp on the calf of Alan Smith after they had slid over the bye-line together. The referee obviously did not see what was clearly a red-card offence and was content to warn the Brazilian.

The incident incensed the Leeds players and there were some angry challenges soon afterwards. But United then broke clear in the 21st minute and Robbie Keane looked a certain scorer as he homed in towards goal, but Sorensen made a superb diving save.

But there was nothing much between the sides as both pushed forward looking for openings, though Leeds, driven on by Batty in midfield, were starting to look more purposeful.

Smith, out on the left, swung in a dangerous centre which dipped towards goal and Sorensen, taking no chances, pushed it away with one hand.

Play was still fast and furious and liberally sprinkled with mistakes as ambitious, first time passes went astray

Quick thinking by Sorensen saved Sunderland again in the 40th minute when he raced to the edge of the box to rob Keane, put clear by a rapidly-taken freekick from Batty, and the Danish keeper was in action soon afterwards, going down to hold a fierce 25-yarder from Smith.

Thome was having a busy time in the heart of the Sunderland defence and he made a crucial challenge to prevent Keane turning towards goal in the first minute of the second half.

But Sunderland grabbed the lead in the 48th minute through Julio Arca. McAteer struck a low, right foot shot from 25 yards which Martyn could only parry, pushing the ball straight to the little Argentinian, who gobbled up the chance from inside the six-yard box.

The goal rocked Leeds, but the Yorkshirmen pushed forward to win a corner on the right and Dacourt hit a first-time 20-yarder straight at Sorensen.

And Sunderland increased their lead in the 55th minute through a magnificent goal from Phillips.

Williams lifted a high ball into the box and when Niall Quinn chested the ball down Phillips struck a perfectly placed 20 yards right foot shot just inside the post, giving Entgland colleague Martyn no chance.

Leeds reacted furiously and Sorensen had to make another magnificent save in the 59th minute to block a full-blooded left-foot shot from Keane.

Quinn took his protests too far after being penalised for a challenge on Harte and was the first name to go into the referee's book in the 65the minute, and a minute later Danny Mills was also booked for throwing the ball away after being denied a throw in.

There was a close call for Sunderland in the 67th minute when Keane got past Thome when he went down to a challenge from Bernt Haas. But instead of awarding Leeds a penalty Mr Barber decided Keane had taken a dive and booked the Republic of Ireland international.

The referee then made another controversial decision when he awarded a goalkick after Martyn had clearly pushed away a 25-yards freekick from McAteer.

Sunderland's newest recruit was having an excellent game and it took a desperate one-handed save from Martyn to keep out a low right foot shot from the Republic of Ireland international.

Smith was booked for a heavy challenge on Haas as Leeds tried to battle their way back into the game, but Sunderland were refusing to buckle.

McAteer was replaced in the 87th miunute by substitute George McCartney and left the field to a standing ovation for his Man of the Match performance.

l Republic of Ireland legend Niall Quinn is prepared to surrender his World Cup dream and pull out of manager Mick McCarthy's squad if he is not 100% fit.

The Sunderland star plagued by back trouble said he ''could not live with himself'' if he took another striker's place in the squad when he knew he was not at the peak of his fitness.

Quinn, who missed Thursday's World Cup play-off second leg against Iran in Tehran with injury.

He said: ''I'll have to be honest and not take someone's place if I'm not fit.

''I couldn't live with myself if I took someone's seat. If I can do a job for Mick and he needs a target man as an option, I'll be there if I'm fit.

''Playing in the World Cup means your life will actually change as players will become star names.

"Robbie Keane's a good player, and if he goes and has a good World Cup, the sky's the limit for the young lad as he is a terrific player.

''I'm actually so shocked we've qualified that it really hasn't sunk in yet. It's an enormous relief and the result of years of hard work.

''Whatever happens in the World Cup, we'll have a good time.'