Darren Bent (File)

Sunderland - Arsenal failed to score for the first time this season as Darren Bent maintained his impressive record against the top teams in the Premier League to earn Sunderland a 1-0 victory.

Bent has already opened the scoring for Sunderland this season in matches against the rest of the so-called elite - Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea.

Here, his 71st minute header earned Steve Bruce's team their first victory in five matches and showed his goalpoaching qualities.

It had been a frustrating match for Bent until he headed a corner against team-mate Fraizer Campbell and reacted quickest to lash in the rebound.

It was only Arsenal's third defeat of the season - an outcome that appeared unlikely after the opening stages of a game that brought Sunderland their first win in five outings.

Cesc Fabregas, who had scored on his previous two visits to the Stadium of Light, was at the heart of most of their best moments as Sunderland soon found themselves stretched.

His persistence enabled him to set up a fifth minute chance for Tomas Rosicky, whose well-struck shot was blocked by the legs of Hungarian goalkeeper Marton Fulop.

Fabregas also went close with two efforts from outside the area in an immensely encouraging start for Arsenal, who were deprived of half-a-dozen of their first team squad through injuries.

However, they possessed enough depth to include players such as Theo Walcott, Denilson and Andrey Arshavin among their substitutes.

Sunderland were also without first-team regulars Craig Gordon, Kenwyne Jones, Michael Turner and Lee Cattermole because of injuries and suspensions.

Turner's absence brought a recall for Ghana international John Mensah, the defender on loan from Lyon.

But Mensah, chosen ahead of Anton Ferdinand, found it difficult to adapt to the pace and mobility of Arsenal's attack.

The same was true of several Sunderland's players, particularly in midfield, but they did finally create two opportunities for Steed Malbranque.

The former Tottenham player, still without a goal this season, twice wasted opportunities after Arsenal failed to cut out crosses from Andy Reid.

They were rare interruptions to Arsenal's control and Wenger's side almost went ahead through the best move of the half in the 33rd minute.

Alex Song surged forward and exchanged passes with Eduardo before the striker's chip drifted past the post.

Bruce's team proved to be more effective in closing down Arsenal's midfielders in a second-half that produced few opportunities for either side.

Andy Reid, becoming more influential as the match progressed, was narrowly wide with a 58th minute free-kick.

And, with Arsenal struggling to make progress as Fabregas's influence waned, Sunderland stunned them by taking the lead in the 71st minute.

Bent's goal was a reward for the former Tottenham player's persistence on a day when his supply line was generally poor.

And it was a reward for Sunderland's ability to recover from such a poor start and pull off a victory that will mean so much to Bruce.

It was a victory that Arsenal rarely threatened to snatch away with the exception of one moment where they forced substitute Ferdinand to clear from in front of the Sunderland goal.