Premier League: Sunderland 1 West Ham 0

Jordan Henderson’s spectacular first-half goal ensured Sunderland answered their manager’s call to bounce back against lowly West Ham.

Steve Bruce had called on his players before the match to show the same resolve they’d demonstrated after previous reverses against West Brom and Newcastle United earlier in the season.

Having been badly below par in their 3-2 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend, Bruce wanted a performance to put points on the board and he got it.

The victory was hard fought – a West Ham side full of fight ensured that – but victory was deserved and reinforces Sunderland’s seventh place while sending the Londoners back to the bottom of the table.

The Black Cats dominated the opening exchanges of the game with some good passing and positive approach work.

But West Ham were resilient defensively and England keeper Robert Green was not extended.

The biggest talking points early on were two bookings – Luis Boa Morte in the seventh minute; Lee Cattermole in the ninth.

But while Cattermole’s booking was harsh, there could be no argument about Boa Morte’s – in fact the West Ham midfielder could count himself lucky to stay on the pitch after going in with both feet in a challenge on Kieran Richardson.

Referee Martin Atkinson has handed out more red cards this season than any other official in the top flight but this time flourished only a yellow.

Gradually West Ham could easily have taken the lead in the 20th minute.

It came when Nedum Onuoha gave away a free kick 22 yards out from his goal and Victor Obinna’s effort swerved dangerously but keeper Craig Gordon read it well.

The goal attempt seemed to galvanise Sunderland and Darren Bent had already tested Green before Jordan Henderson gave Sunderland the lead in the 33rd minute.

It was a goal good enough to win any game and Henderson helped in its construction from just inside the West Ham half.

The ball was threaded through to Asamoah Gyan to chase down the right and he pulled a pass back into the path of the new England boy who hit a first time left-foot shot which spiralled into the top right-hand corner of Green’s goal.

Sunderland pressed for a second with Kieran Richardson and Lee Cattermole getting shots in but West Ham finished the half strongly and in the 44th minute Jonathan Spector almost scored an equaliser every bit as eye-catching as Henderson’s effort.

The Hammers midfielder waltzed forward from the half-way line to the Sunderland goalmouth but dragged his shot just wide.

The visitors started the second-half as strongly as they had finished the first and looked to exploit lethargy in Sunderland’s play.

But despite their slow start, Sunderland remained strong defensively and eventually picked up their game with Gyan having good efforts on goal just before and after the hour mark.

The Hammers tried hard but the closest they came was a 78th minute effort Obinna which flashed just wide of Gordon’s right-hand post.

Sunderland meanwhile challenged Green with efforts from Gyan and substitute Steed Malbranque – Welbeck went close five minutes from time – and, despite West Ham’s praiseworthy work ethic, the Wearsiders could count themselves worthy winners on the day.