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Sunderland 1-0 Liverpool
Match Reports, 17:10, October 17, 2009 ,
Sunderland claimed all three points against an under-par Liverpool courtesy of a bizarre goal from Darren Bent.
The striker gave the home side the lead after just five minutes when his shot from a flick-on went in off a beach ball that appeared to have come on from the visitors' end.
Bent could have had a second shortly before the break but headed wide from close range, while at the other end Ryan Babel, Yossi Benayoun and Jay Spearing enjoyed opportunities but could not trouble Craig Gordon.
Bent went within a whisker of a second again after the break but hit the outside of the upright after going round Pepe Reina.
At the other end Gordon remained virtually unemployed but was called into action minutes before the final whistle to make a great double save from Dirk Kuyt and David N'Gog.
The result sees Sunderland leapfrog the Anfield outfit in the table and will no doubt increase the pressure on Rafa Benitez who was without star duo Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres this afternoon.