Trevor Sinclair made sure that Howard Wilkinson's first match in charge of Sunderland would be a losing one as West Ham won 1-0.
Wilko issues warning to underperforming stars
The England midfielder delivered the winner in the 22nd minute at the Stadium of Light.
In the process his goal took the Hammers off the foot of the table and above Sunderland on goal difference.
In his programme notes Wilkinson said he wanted to change the mood in the camp from downbeat to upbeat.
However it was difficult to escape the mood of doom and gloom around the ground at the end of the game.
Despite the return of striker Kevin Phillips, six weeks after a groin operation, Sunderland again failed to find the target.
Substitute Niall Quinn hit the post but they have now scored only four goals in ten games.
The Hammers set the pace right from the start. They won a corner after two minutes and Paolo di Canio swung the ball in from the right.
Sinclair peeled away from his marker, only to send his header wide of the target.
It was all very frenetic in the opening 15 minutes and short on entertainment with both sides desperate for points.
Sunderland found themselves on the defensive again when Matt Piper conceded a free kick following a push on Jermaine Defoe.
Michael Carrick got clear in the area but sent a tame shot into the arms of Jurgen Macho.
The goalkeeper was grateful to get a couple of early touches. He last appeared for the side in February when he conceded four goals in the defeat by Manchester United.
Sunderland hit back and Kevin Kilbane raced down the left and tried to pick out the on-rushing Phillips.
However goalkeeper David James was alert to the danger and cut out Kilbane's cross.
Wilkinson saw his new side fall behind in the 22nd minute after a moment of inspiration from di Canio.
He sent a wonderful ball over the top from the halfway line to release Sinclair.
There was still work to be done but he got a good first touch before thumping a 20-yard shot beyond Macho, the ball going in off the underside of the bar.
Play switched down the other end and Claudio Reyna whipped in a good corner for Sunderland.
Jody Craddock was left unmarked but his header had neither the power or the direction to threaten the Hammers' goal.
Sunderland suffered another scare in the 34th minute after a good break by Defoe.
He laid the ball into the path of Cole. He made a decent connection but Macho got a hand on his shot to turn it around the post.
Cole then got goal-side of Phil Babb, only to take one touch too many and Sunderland were able to scramble the ball to safety.
It was a worrying time for Sunderland with Phillips starved of service up front.
Wilkinson brought on David Bellion at half time for the ineffective Piper.
Bellion had shown an eye for goal in the last home game, getting the winner against Aston Villa.
And on the evidence of the first half, of the two sides it was the Hammers who looked the more threatening.
Certainly there was no lack of ambition from the visitors despite their lowly position in the table.
Phillips did find the net in the 52nd minute, only for his effort to be ruled out for offside.
Di Canio so unnerved Craddock he slipped and lost possession 20 yards out in front of a crowd of just over 44,000.
The Italian star released Defoe, who tried a shot even though he was off-balance and it ended nearer the corner flag than the goal.
Niall Quinn was then introduced for Sunderland, replacing Marcus Stewart up front.
The Hammers powered forward again thanks to the confidence and direct running of Sinclair.
He managed to get in a shot despite being out-numbered, only for it to be parried by Macho.
The Sunderland fans were becoming increasingly frustrated knowing time was ebbing away.
Veteran striker Quinn came within inches of getting the equaliser in the 76th minute.
His delicate half volley from just inside the area beat James but came back off the post.
Then Bellion rattled in a shot from 20 yards that whistled narrowly over the bar.
But they couldn't get the goal they craved leaving Wilkinson with a feeling of frustration.
New Sunderland manager Howard Wilkinson is already adopting a get-tough policy
at the Stadium of Light.
Wilkinson said: 'Flo was not up to match pace and that is something we will
have to deal with. But of course he still has a future here. He had a mixed pre-season. As for Piper he's had a taste of international football where he probably
ate too much and sat around too much.
'If you want a long international career, you have to do it at club level
first of all.'
A goal from Trevor Sinclair condemned Sunderland to defeat and lifted West Ham
off the bottom of the table.
Wilkinson said: 'The second half was much better and left me thinking `I have
something to work on. The first half was wasted with their goal coming from an excellent pass and
a terrific finish. But I believe we have the personnel here to get out of trouble.'
As for what it was like to be back involved at club level on match day,
Wilkinson said: 'Not a lot has changed. Perhaps there is a lot more going on
during a game but you have the same emotions and the same problems to deal
with.
'It's probably going to take me four or five weeks to get things the way I
want.'
West Ham manager Glenn Roeder was thrilled at the manner of the victory which
will get some of his critics off his back.
But Roeder said: 'I personally have not felt any pressure. I just carry on
looking at the next game. That's the only way to deal with the situation in my
book.
'What surprised me at the start was how quiet the crowd were. We didn't make too many chances but it was a fantastic piece of skill by
Paolo di Canio who set up the goal. We're off the bottom and we don't want to
go back there.'
- REPORTS - Premiership
