Given their manager’s reputation as a stickler for timekeeping, how do Sunderland dare score so many late goals? Liam Miller was placed on the transfer list over his loose approach to punctuality, but the team continue to keep Roy Keane waiting. In this regard, punishment would be inappropriate; tardiness could ward off relegation.

A third of Sunderland’s 33 points this season have been claimed inside the final six minutes of matches and often beyond. The latest came on Saturday, when, in the sixth minute of stoppage time, Andy Reid drilled a left-foot shot beyond Robert Green, the West Ham United goalkeeper.

Their promotion last year was accompanied by numerous stirring comebacks and if Sunderland are evolving in terms of quality, their spirit is fully fledged. They lie seven points clear of the bottom three.

“I want my team to be a reflection of my personality,” Keane said. But the Irishman was obliged to exert himself at half-time. “The first 25 minutes was appalling – we were shocking,” he said. “You can’t start a Premiership game that badly. I had to remind them what a significant game it was.

“Sometimes you have to remind footballers where they’re at and where we are at, that this is a big football club and that this is a big season in the history of the club. Sunderland has been a yo-yo club and they needed reminding. They reacted like the good players they are. It gives me great hope.”

Keane’s speech was motivational. “The manager gave us a history lesson,” Kieran Richardson, the midfield player, said. “He reminded us it had been 126 games since this club had won successive matches at this level. It was as passionate as I’ve seen him.”

Having conceded a soft goal to Fredrik Ljungberg, Sunderland’s recovery was gradual. Kenwyne Jones secured the equaliser with a tap-in, but Daryl Murphy spurned an open net in the 81st minute. It typified West Ham’s injury record that Reid’s winner should arrive when Ljungberg was off the field, but Alan Curbishley said that he “couldn’t begrudge” Sunderland their win. “They don’t give in,” the West Ham manager said.

Keane was delighted with Reid. “Andy enjoys a few drinks and a singsong, but I knew that mentally he’d be fine in front of our crowds,” he said. “Sir Alex Ferguson was always asking whether players could perform in front of 50,000 people and not many can. Some are in the comfort zone. But Andy loves his football.”

The team’s reward is some training in Spain, but Keane insisted it is not a “jolly”. “We’ve had a good result today, but I won’t be getting drunk on the plane,” he said. “We’ll just get on with it. Actually, no one will be getting drunk on the plane.” He had already moved on; Sunderland are moving up.

Sunderland (4-4-2): C Gordon 7 – P Bardsley 7, N Nosworthy 8, J Evans 8, D Collins 6 – M Chopra 6 (sub: G Leadbitter, 71min), D Whitehead 6, A Reid 8, K Richardson 7 (sub: C Edwards, 71) – D Murphy 6 (sub: R O’Donovan, 82), K Jones 7.
Substitutes not used: M Fulop, D Yorke.
Booked: Reid, O’Donovan.
Next: Fulham (a).

West Ham United (4-4-2): R Green 8 – L Neill 6, J Spector 6, A Ferdinand 6, G McCartney 5 (sub: J Pantsil, 46, 4; sub: J Tomkins, 75) – F Ljungberg 6, H Mullins 6, S Parker 7, M Noble 6 – D Ashton 6, C Cole 5 (sub: N Solano, 65 6).
Substitutes not used: J Walker, L Boa Morte.
Booked: Cole.
Next: Portsmouth (h).

Referee A Marriner
Attendance 45,690