Soccer: Sunderland finally back to winning ways, Birmingham refuse to falter

Sunderland managed to lift a little of the gloom around the Stadium of Light with a 4-0 win over Bolton.

Darren Bent stole the headlines, scoring a classy hat-trick and drawing a line under a difficult spell in front of goal. The Black Cats were too strong for Owen Coyle's side, who never recovered from Fraizer Campbell's 41-second opener - the fastest Premier League goal this season.

At Fratton Park, Portsmouth's woes continued with a 2-1 defeat to Birmingham. Cameron Jerome bagged a brace and the Blues are now just two points behind Liverpool as they continue to be this season's surprise package.