Sunderland finally win and Birmingham get cup revenge

Sharpshooter Darren Bent was the top points scoring player last night with nine points as Sunderland returned to winning ways in style, thrashing relegation rivals Bolton 4-0.

The England striker bagged a hat-trick in the Black Cats first win since November while team-mate Fraizer Campbell was awarded five points for the opening goal and an assist.

Defensive midfielder Lorik Cana looped a high ball to the back post for Campbell to turn home inside the first minute and Bent made it 2-0 in the second half after latching onto a Lee Cattermole through ball.

Bent got the third from the spot when he was fouled by Samuel Ricketts in the penalty area and the Bolton defender was promptly shown a red card for a second bookable offence.

The 4-0 scoreline was harsh on Bolton, who dominated much of the opening period, but Bent completed the scoring, grabbing his 18th league goal of the season, in the dying stages, lashing home Campbell's pull-back.

The win takes Sunderland above Bolton into 13th place, six points clear of the drop zone.

Birmingham avenged their weekend defeat to lowly Portsmouth in the FA Cup by a recording a 2-1 win over the debt ridden, South Coast club in the league.

Powerful striker Cameron Jerome got the Birmingham goals, netting six points, and it was his strike partner Christian Benitez that created both of them.

The Ecuador international opened up the Portsmouth defence for the second with a clever backheel, which Jerome clinically sent goalwards, and picked up four points for his selfless efforts.

Veteran striker Kanu got a late consolation for Pompey, heading home a Jamie O'Hara cross, in the last minute.