Sunderland win rare victory

Sunderland 3 Northwich 0

Sunderland progressed to the fourth round of the FA Cup after claiming their first win in 15 attempts against Conference North side Nortwhich.

Defender Neill Collins fired the home side ahead with his first goal for the club in his first appearance of the season with just six minutes gone, and captain Dean Whitehead made it 2-0 four minutes before the break.

Anthony Le Tallec made certain with a third goal 20 minutes from time, but the Black Cats could have won even more comfortably with luckless striker Jon Stead and the impressive Liam Lawrence both hitting the woodwork and their team passing up a series of good opportunities.