Hot Black Cats make it a happy new year

HOME bankers Sunderland stretched their unbeaten record on Wearside to 12 games as they moved to within two points of the automatic promotion slots.

- IAN MURTAGH

With Leeds and Burnley both dropping points at home earlier in the day, Regis Le Bris' young side took full advantage with an impressive win over thirdplaced Sheffield United, who lost on their travels s for the first time since j October.

Black Cats' fans fear the lack of a proven marksman could yet prove their downfall this season - but forwards Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda each produced goalscoring performances to suggest that the problem isn't such a concern after all.

The first half was fast, furious and full of goalmouth action with the dynamic duo's efforts coming either side of a Luke O'Nien own goal.

Trai Hume set up French striker Isidor on nine minutes and from a tight f angle, his shot was turned behind by Michael Cooper.