Murphy's thunderbolt leaves Wigan floored

Throw in a contender for goal of the season and you can see why the locals were crowing come the final whistle. Home form alone may yet guide Keane's side comfortably away from the drop zone.

'We can't rely on our away form, God help us,' said Sunderland's manager with a wry smile. 'I can't praise the players enough. We've had our setbacks but they've reacted well today in what was a tough game. Wigan are physically a big strong team and their set pieces are very good. We rode our luck a little bit, but I think we maybe earned that little bit of luck. Two good goals and a clean sheet... we're fairly happy.'

Sunderland's win came courtesy of a goal in each half. The first arrived three minutes before the break when Dickson Etuhu, just back from playing in the Africa Cup Of Nations, stole in to powerfully head Dean Whitehead's free-kick beyond the previously redundant Chris Kirkland.

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