Sunderland moved to within a point of the play-off places as they came from behind to beat Birmingham City at the Stadium of Light. George Hall put the Blues in front on the half-hour, but Trai Hume levelled in first-half stoppage time.
And with 15 minutes remaining, Amad scored his 12th goal of the season to complete the turnaround and put the Black Cats ahead. There was more work for Sunderland to do however, with defender Dennis Cirkin sent off for a second bookable offence just a couple of minutes after Amad's goal.
And that meant the Wearsiders had to hold on for dear life in the final stages as Birmingham threw everything forward to try to salvage a point. But Sunderland stood firm to claim their first home win since February, completing back-to-back wins in the process following their Easter Monday victory at Cardiff City, and stay firmly in the play-off race.
READ MORE: Ten-man Sunderland close to within a point of play-offs after coming from behind against Birmingham
Here's how our Sunderland AFC writer James Hunter rated the players.
Anthony Patterson 8
Made a number of excellent saves to keep Sunderland in the game when Birmingham looked dangerous
Trai Hume 7
His equaliser on the stroke of the interval came at the perfect time
Danny Batth 7
At fault for Birmingham's goal, but played a big role in the equaliser and was solid defensively when the pressure was on late in the game
Dennis Cirkin 5
Struggled all afternoon against Chong, and eventually saw red for a second bookable offence - both of which were on the Birmingham wideman
Lynden Gooch 7
Played high up the pitch on the right and was a threat when he got on the ball in and around the box
Dan Neil 8
Excellent in central midfield
Edouard Michut 7
Worked hard alongside Neil
Jack Clarke 6
Saw plenty of the ball but it was one of those games where little came off for him
Amad 8
Always a threat, and he scored the all-important winning goal
Patrick Roberts 7
Caused Birmingham a lot of problems, but missed a big chance to put Sunderland in front before Amad struck
Alex Pritchard 7
Played as the false nine and his experience was crucial
Subs
Joe Gelhardt 7
For Michut 62mins. Showed good energy and worked hard to close down defenders
Luke O'Nien 7
For Gooch 62mins. Strong at the back when he came on
Joe Anderson N/A
For Roberts 80mins.
Pierre Ekwah N/A
For Amad 90+2mins.
Not used: Bass, Lihadji, Ba
READ NEXT:
- Sunderland loanee Bailey Wright to play a part in Rotherham's relegation fight despite bad injury
- Sunderland must stand up to Birmingham City's physical threat warns Tony Mowbray
- Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray on the one major area that has hampered his side this season
- Tony Mowbray sets out the task ahead of Sunderland if they are to make the play-offs
- Tony Mowbray explains his show of faith in Pierre Ekwah after youngster's error against Hull
