Sunderland 2
West Ham 1
(Barclays Premier League)

WEST Ham suffered a cruel blow as Andy Reid grabbed a last gasp Sunderland winner at the Stadium of Light this afternoon.

The talented midfielder struck a volley deep into time added on from Carlos Edwards' cross.

It was little more than the Black Cats deserved, having dominated the entire second period and been the team to force the issue.

Freddie Ljungberg gave Hammers a 17th minute lead with a low drive that spun into the corner off Black Cats defender Nyron Nosworthy.

Kenwyne Jones equalised for the hosts with the easiest of chances in the 28th minute, the Trinidad and Tobago star turning in Kieron Richardson's cross from only a yard out.

Chances came and went at either end in an entertaining and open first period.

Ashton's swerving effort from the edge of the box clipped the outside of a post as early as the ninth minute.

Carlton Cole then cut inside before dragging his shot wide of the post.

The powerful Irons forward soon forced Makems keeper Craig Gordon into a world class tip over with a brilliant curling shot that was heading for the top corner.

At the other end, Michael Chopra's drive was well held by Robert Green, while Daryl Murphy sent his shot wide of the target.

West Ham were forced to play a much more defensive game after the break as Sunderland forced their way into the ascendency.

Murphy had a great chance to give his side the lead, but somehow smashed over the crossbar from the centre of goal after Jones had forced his way past James Tomkins.

The Irons were forced to finish the game with ten men when, having made all three substitutions, Ljungberg was stretchered off with a hamstring injury.

And it proved too much as Reid popped up at the last to steal a vital three points - and give Sunderland their first back to back victories in the the top flight since 2001.

West Ham: Green, Neill, McCartney (Pantsil 46, Tomkins 75), Ferdinand, Spector, Parker, Noble, Mullins, Ljungberg, Cole (Solano 67), Asthon. Unused subs: Boa Morte, Walker.