A hat-trick from Darren Bent helped Sunderland achieve their first win in 15 Premier League games to ease the pressure on manager Steve Bruce.The overdue victory was perfectly timed for Bruce, who is scheduled to have a meeting with billionaire owner Ellis Short to discuss the club's slide towards the relegation zone.
Sunderland, who have suffered from nerves in front of fans who were becoming impatient, could not have asked for a better start than a goal after only 41 seconds.
Skipper Lorik Cana created it with a cross that Fraizer Campbell sidefooted in at the far post - a punishment for some slack defending by Bolton.
It was a major setback for Owen Coyle's side, but they responded well with Johan Elmander going close, although Sunderland also had good chances to stretch their lead before the break through Darren Bent and Alan Hutton.
Bolton continued to drive forward at the start of the second half, but Sunderland made the game safe when Bent steered in their second goal after outpacing Sam Ricketts in the race for Lee Cattermole's pass.
It was not the end of a miserable night for Ricketts, who was shown a red card for bringing down Bent, conceding a penalty that brought the striker his second goal in the 74th minute. Bent completed his hat-trick with his 19th goal of the season after good work from Campbell in the 87th minute.
REACTION:
Bent's goals will improve his prospects of figuring in the World Cup Finals - and Sunderland manager Bruce is one man who would like to see him in South Africa.
Bruce said:"We could have scored seven or eight and Benty could have had five. To have 19 goals for a team in the bottom half with 10 games to go is fantastic and he must still be in with a shout for the World Cup.
"He's got to be knocking on the door. Like Rooney and Defoe he's a natural goalscorer and there aren't too many about. I'm not going to tell Fabio Capello how to pick a team but Darren must have a chance because his record is quite staggering. I'm delighted for him."
Bent's hat-trick was certainly timely for Bruce after their long run without a win. He said:"It's been a long time in coming, so it's a very welcome win. It's definitely a relief. It's been tough.
"We've got to remember it's just one victory, but it's given everyone a lift in confidence and you could see it at the end because they all wanted the ball. The early goals gave us a huge lift and there was no lumping it up the pitch like a week ago. Hopefully we can now remain settled and injury free and build on this now.
Coyle admitted that Campbell's early goal left Bolton with a mountain to climb. "We came in good form looking to win but, when you concede a goal within 41 seconds, it gives you a bit to do."
They battled back well from the quickest goal scored in the Premier League this season and Coyle said:"I really felt we were the team in ascendency at the start of the second half, but we didn't work their keeper and paid the penalty.
"Everything conspired against us with injuries, we finished with four wingers across the middle and the score probably flattered Sunderland. We were the better team for 20 minutes at the start of the second half.
"I think the margin of the scoreline is harsh. The players have been terrific, but we know we still have to win games to take us out of danger.
"We've had four games away in our last five and still taken ourselves out of immediate danger, so we'll take our medicine, dust ourselves down and go again on Saturday."
Coyle was unhappy at the last two goals that ensured the scoreline didn't reflect the balance of the player.
He said:"I'll ask the referee about their penalty, whether it was in the area, and I'll ask them about their fourth goal because they had a player stood right in front of our keeper.
"Steve Bruce must think all his Christmases have come at once because Lorik Cana perhaps should have been in the stands late on for a knee high challenge after he picked up a first-half booking."
HOW IT HAPPENED: Far more comfortably than seemed likely with an hour gone. Sunderland were boosted by their early goal from Campbell - his first in 21 games - which was just what they needed to get the crowd on their side. But Bolton caused them problems, particularly at the start of the second half before Bent took over and showed why he's in contention for a place in England's World Cup squad with his first Premier League hat-trick. In the end, he was the difference between the two teams.
WHAT IT MEANS: Sheer relief for Bruce. In truth, the manager was not in any imminent danger of the sack while he has chairman Niall Quinn fighting his corner, but his meeting with American owner Short would have been an awkward one if Sunderland had slipped to their 15th league game without a win. Bruce has consistently pointed out that one victory would quickly lift the gloom descending on the Stadium of Light and so it proved with Sunderland moving six points clear of the drop zone. Bolton, overhauled by Sunderland, were edging towards safety before this setback and Coyle will be anxious to ensure they recover quickly and don't slip back into trouble.
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SUNDERLAND 4 (Campbell 1, Bent 64, 74 pen, 87) BOLTON WANDERERS 0
PLAYER MARKING:
Sunderland (4-4-2): Gordon 6; Hutton 6, Mensah 7 (Zenden 79, 6), Turner 7, Ferdinand 7; Campbell 8, Cana 7, Cattermole 6 (Bardsley 70, 6), Malbranque 7 (Benjani 85, 6); Jones 6, Bent 9.
Subs not used: Carson, McCartney, Da Silva, Kilgallon.
Bolton (4-4-2): Jaaskelainen 7; Steinsson 6, Knight 6, Ricketts 6, Robinson 5; Lee 6, Gardner 6 (Taylor 73, 6), Muamba 6 (Weiss 58, 6), Wilshere 7; Davies 6, Elmander 5 (Klasnic 65).
Subs not used: Samuel, Riga, Habsi, O'Brien.
ATTENDANCE: 36,087
NEXT UP:
-Sunderland v Manchester City (Home), Premier League 14/03, 1600 GMT
-Bolton v Wigan Athletic (Home) Premier League 13/03, 1500 GMT
MAN OF THE MATCH:
Darren Bent - A timely reminder for England chief Fabio Capello. The odds may be against Bent figuring in the World Cup, but Sunderland's top scorer showed his quality by making it 10 goals in nine games against Bolton
