Sunderland 1 Arsenal 0
Stu Vose

Sunderland's Stadium of Light is quickly turning into a real fortress after Darren Bent delivered a deserved winner to grab all three points at Arsenal's expense.

Bent rattled home his ninth goal of the season 19 minutes from time to delight the vast majority of a crowd numbering more than 44,000, who were treated to another typically blood-and-thunder performance.

Bent ran his heart out alone up front but got his reward as sub Fraizer Campbell knocked a deep corner back across the box for him to emphatically sweep the ball home from close range to win it.

The £10m striker has now scored the first goal against all of the 'Big Four' clubs, and his goal underlined gritty Sunderland's appetite for an upset.

The breakthrough was no more than Steve Bruce's dogs of war deserved as they frustrated Arsenal for long spells.  The fact that keeper Marton Fulop didn't have a major save to make is testament to their handiwork.

It was a case of unlucky thirteen for Arsene Wenger's Gunners, who saw their unbeaten run stopped at a baker's dozen of games.

Looking to extend that run, Arsenal started in predictably confident mood at a rain-sodden Stadium of Light, twice coming close through long-range blasts from Cesc Fabregas in the first quarter-hour.

But it was Sunderland who should have been on the scoresheet first on 19 minutes following a counter-attack of real quality sprung by returning captain Cana, with the ball finding Andy Reid via a pacy break from Richardson.

Steed Malbranque - who had already come close with a snapshot - was left all alone at the back post to meet Reid's cross with Arsenal looking stretched, but the little Belgian couldn't keep his shot down as he scythed the ball over Manuel Almunia's crossbar.

That chance prompted a good spell of possession from the hosts, but Arsenal continued to showcase their attacking threat on the break and through an ability to get a number of crosses into the box from wide positions.

Indeed they almost profited from a counter-attack just after the half-hour.  Alex Song's strong surge from deep exposed the home defence as he dropped in a pass to Eduardo in the edge of the box.

Off-balance and falling under a challenge, the Brazilian did well to bring the ball under control and hook a return pass towards his team-mate at the back post, but a stretching Song couldn't poke the ball beyond Marton Fulop as it headed for touch.

Hungarian international Fulop was under pressure again seven minutes before the break, claiming Aaron Ramsey's speculative half-volley from just outside the box, while another off-target effort from Fabregas rounded out the first period.

The second half began at an even more furious pace, and an off-target Reid free kick just before the hour was the signal for the home crowd to up the noise levels as the five-man midfield and lone striker Bent pressed and every player harried for every single inch of ground.

Bruce introduced Campbell in place of Malbranque 24 minutes from time - and the substitute had a huge impact with one of his first touches of the game as he teed up one of his top footballing pals.

Reid's industry won him a corner, Bent got a touch on the delivery with his head and Campbell knocked the ball back into the danger zone for Bent to smash the ball past Almunia from six yards.

Back came Arsenal, who had only lost to the two Manchester clubs on the road in 2009/10 before this game.  Five-goal defender Thomas Vermaelen seared a booming volley over the top before Bruce introduced Bolo Zenden in place to Reid and Anton Ferdinand for John Mensah to re-stock his ranks for the closing minutes.

Sunderland survived a scare with just over three minutes left as sub Andrey Arshavin was just inches away from turning in Song's cross at the far post, and the same player had another opportunity moments later when he was just a couple of yards away from connecting with another dangerous low cross.

But it could have been two for the home side late on as sub Zenden crossed low, Henderson got a touch and the ball squirmed agonisingly from Almunia's grasp - but there was no Sunderland player around to follow up.

The whistles were deafening as Sunderland held on for grim death in added time - but they got there to take their points tally against the 'Big Four' to an impressive seven already this season.

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SAFC: Fulop, Bardsley, McCartney, Da Silva, Mensah (Ferdinand, 82), Reid (Zenden, 77), Malbranque (Campbell, 66), Cana (C), Henderson, Richardson, Bent.

Subs Not Used: Carson, Nosworthy, Healy, Murphy.

Booked: Bardsley (84), Richardson (90).

Sent Off: None.

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Fabregas, Vermaelen, Rosicky (Walcott, 72), Nasri, Eduardo (Vela, 72), Gallas, Ramsey (Arshavin, 60), Song, Traore.

Subs Not Used: Denilson, Silvestre, Eboue, Mannone.

Booked: Traore (90).

Sent Off: None.