AFTER falling at the first hurdle in the past two years, Sunderland went a step further yesterday with this emphatic victory. It tasted sweeter on Wearside after what happened when these two teams last met in Nov- ember. Bolton’s 4-1 victory proved a defeat too many for manager Roy Keane.

For his successor, Ricky Sbragia, this was officially his first home game in charge. After spurning a succession of good opportunities in the opening half, it took a quick double breakthrough midway through the second half to deliver the knockout blow. First, Kieran Richardson put in a fierce free kick from the left flank, and there was Kenwyne Jones to meet it with a thunderous header into the roof of the net.

Then Carlos Edwards provided the cross for Djibril Cisse to volley home acrobatically. Credit to both teams for fielding virtually full-strength teams. It made for an entertaining afternoon, albeit played out in front of a crowd of only 20,000.

The first half saw Sunderland edge it in terms of opportunities, with easily the best coming courtesy of Jones. Put through by the lively Richardson, he opted for a tame shot rather than rolling the ball across to the unmarked Cisse.

Bolton came closer before the interval with a long-range free kick from Matthew Taylor, which was saved by Marton Fulop in the Sunderland goal. Bolton did have long periods of possession, especially in the first period, without threatening to make that all-important breakthrough.

With 11 minutes of the game remaining, Bolton substitute Ebi Smolarek set up an unexpected and tantalising climax. On the edge of the penalty area, he lobbed in a hopeful ball that eluded everyone and finally looped over Fulop.

Sbragia said: “After a bad performance at Everton last week, it was good to get back on track. We need to win games to get our confidence.”

Bolton, who were eliminated at this stage last year by Sheffield United, are left to concentrate on consolidating their position in the top flight.

Star man: Djibril Cisse

Yellow cards: Sunderland: Whitehead, Tainio Bolton: Muamba, Steinsson, Shittu, Nolan, Taylor

SUNDERLAND: Fulop 6, Chimbonda 7, Nosworthy 6, Ferdinand 7, Collins 6, Edwards 7 (Reid 82min), Whitehead 6, Richardson 7 (Tainio 78min), Diouf 7, Jones 7, Cisse 8

BOLTON: Jaaskelainen 6, Samuel 6 (Riga 86min), O’Brien 6, Shittu 6, Steinsson 5, Nolan 6, Muamba 6, Taylor 6, Gardner 7, Elmander 5, Davies 5 (Smolarek 73min)

Referee: S Bennett

Attendance: 20,685

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