McClean lifts Sunderland in snowy Stoke
Northern Ireland winger James McClean lifted Sunderland to a 1-0 win against 10-man Stoke City in freezing conditions at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday.
Snow and wind made conditions difficult as the players struggled in sub zero temperatures before McClean's second half strike ensured that Martin O'Neill's side recorded their third consecutive league victory and their fifth in six games.
Both sides went into the game equal on 30 points but the hosts were hit hard when Germany centre back Robert Huth was controversially given his marching orders just before the halftime whistle for a tackle on David Meyler.
Kieran Ricardson missed a chance to put Sunderland ahead after just a minute of play from a freekick awarded following a Jermaine Pennant foul on Jack Colback.
Stoke then missed a chance to break through after 15 minutes when Pennant won a free-kick only to fail to finish it off.
Republic of Ireland midfielder Meyler's subsequent bid to play a through ball for Sebastian Larsson was stopped in the snow, with not a single clear shot at goal in the first half hour of play.
After the break the Black Cats took advantage of their numerical superiority following Huth's red card, pushing forward with a corner from McClean producing the best effort only for Benin midfielder Stephane Sessegnon to head narrowly over.
The visitors' pressing finally paid off after 60 minutes when McClean played a one two with Sessegnon, and fired into the net from inside the penalty area.
Rory Delap missed the chance to equalise three minutes later as his shot went wide, and the hosts also squandered a free kick taken by Glen Whelan following a Michael Turner foul on England striker Peter Crouch.
Sunderland keeper Simon Mignolet proved solid late in the game pulling off a save after 65 minutes from a Whelan free kick, and five minutes later the Belgium proved solid again faced with a Crouch effort.
Fuller had a shot at goal after 81 minutes which was also kept out by the Belgian.
Sunderland held on to collect all three points after losing their four previous away games at Stoke, to stay eighth with 33 points, as Stoke drop three spots to 12th.