Sunderland moved back into the automatic promotion spots after defeat Portsmouth at the Stadium of Light.
Elliot Embleton scored the only goal of the game towards the end of the first half, and it was enough to earn the Black Cats their first win of 2022.
Sunderland climbed to second in the League One table, and are behind leaders Wigan Athletic only on goal difference - albeit the Latics still have four games in hand of them.
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Here's how James Hunter rated the Sunderland players
Thorben Hoffmann 6
Looked edgy in the first half, but much better in the second
Tom Flanagan 6
Made several errors in the first period but recovered and went on to make some crucial challenges to help Sunderland retain their clean sheet
Danny Batth 7
A solid debut in the middle of the back three, he looks an uncompromising, no-nonsense centre-back
Callum Doyle 7
Read the game well and looked comfortable on the ball
Lynden Gooch 6
Operated at right wingback and delivered a couple of good crosses
Corry Evans 7
Back in the side and, after the first half-hour, he helped Sunderland control the midfield for the final hour
Dan Neil 7
Energetic alongside Evans in the heart of midfield
Dennis Cirkin 7
Grew into the game at left wingback and came into his own in the second half
Elliot Embleton 7
Scored the all-important goal and brought a couple of saves out of Bazunu
Leon Dajaku 8
Always a threat, he caused Pompey all kinds of problems and the goal came from his pressing
Ross Stewart 7
Held the ball up really well and brought others into the game. Also provided the assist for Embleton
Subs
Carl Winchester N/A
For Embleton 83mins.
Aiden O'Brien N/A
For Dajaku 88mins.
Not used: Patterson, Xhemajli, Diamond, T Hume, Kimpioka
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