Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce has called for the introduction of a “Rooney Rule” to allow home-grown managers the chance to compete with foreign imports in English football.

West Ham striker Diafra Sakho scored a late winner to inflict defeat on new Sunderland head coach Dick Advocaat in his first match in charge and finally bring some cheer back to Upton Park.

Premier League

Hull 1 Sunderland 1

Hull City boss Steve Bruce has hit back at Stoke after a gory picture emerged of a bloody gash in Stephen Ireland’s leg following a challenger by Tigers defender Maynor Figueroa.

Manchester United 2 Sunderland 0

Referee Roger East has told the body responsible for officiating standards in English football it was not a case of mistaken identity when he sent off Sunderland’s Wes Brown at Manchester United.

Here, we look at five high-profile mistakes by Premier League referees.

Wayne Rooney’s match-winning double for Manchester United against Sunderland was overshadowed by a case of mistaken identity.

FA Cup Fifth Round: Bradford 2 Sunderland 0: Bradford, a city whose last meaningful flirtation with the FA Cup came some 104 years ago, now stand one victory from a Wembley semi-final after a stunning 2-0 upset of Premier League Sunderland at Valley Parade.

Sunderland 0 Liverpool 1

Manchester City 3 Sunderland 2

Aston Villa held Sunderland to a 0-0 draw despite going down to 10 men for the third time in four games.

If Liverpool are still struggling to come to terms with the loss of Luis Suarez then, even as the last week has catapulted them back into Champions League contention, it has also offered Brendan Rodgers the glimpse of an even more unpalatable Anfield future.

Sunderland 0 Chelsea 0

Willian and Santiago Vergini both hit the woodwork as Sunderland extended their run of good results against Chelsea with a 0-0 draw.

Martin O’Neill has postponed finalising his Ireland squad until later today, pending updates on major injury worries concerning James McCarthy and Marc Wilson.

Sunderland 1 Everton 1

Premier League

Sunderland 0 Arsenal 2

Arsenal may have famously failed in their efforts to sign Luis Suarez, but Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain reckons that in Alexis Sanchez the Gunners have signed a player of similar ability.

Southampton, 8-0 winners over Sunderland last weekend, climb to second in the Premier League, three points behind the Blues, with a 1-0 win over Stoke at St Mary’s Stadium today.

All the team news from around the grounds ahead of Week 7 in the Premier League - more to follow as it comes in.

All the team news from around the grounds ahead of Week 6 in the Premier League - more to follow as it comes in.

Sunderland 2 Tottenham 2

Sunderland 1 Manchester United 1

Jack Rodwell’s first Sunderland goal left Louis van Gaal still awaiting his first Barclays Premier League win as Manchester United collected their first point of the season.

Manchester United Vice-captain Darren Fletcher is the latest footballer to take part in the online nomination craze.

Sunderland 0 Everton 1

Wes Brown’s own goal took Everton into the Champions League places as Sunderland’s relegation fears took a turn for the worse.

Barclay’s Premier League

Tottenham 5 Sunderland 1

West Ham 2, Sunderland 1

Sunderland 1 West Ham 2

Liverpool 2 Sunderland 1

Liverpool 2 Sunderland 1

Norwich 2 Sunderland 0

Manchester City’s top scorer Sergio Aguero is passed fit to start the Capital One Cup final against Sunderland at Wembley.

Luis Suarez still has no regrets over the Patrice Evra affair but is worried he might get injured in the next three months and miss the World Cup.

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini admits that even with his wealth of riches the club are feeling the strain of injuries as the club faces into a crucial week of their season.

Shane Long says he is loving life at Hull City after a blistering start to his career at the Tigers.

Sunderland 0 Hull 2

Fulham 1 Sunderland 4

Adam Johnson's hat-trick spearheaded Sunderland's third win in six days, a ruthless 4-1 Barclays Premier League victory at Fulham today.