Danny Welbeck headed Sunderland to a 1-0 victory over Bolton on Saturday and up to sixth in the Premier League at the expense of its opponent.
Welbeck, who is on loan from Manchester United, produced his fifth goal of the season in the 32nd minute after goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen parried Darren Bent's shot.
The 20-year-old Welbeck also clipped the outside of the post in the second half with a side-footed shot.
Sunderland may struggle to persuade Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson to allow Welbeck to stay beyond the end of the season when the English forward's loan ends.
"He has terrific ability," said Sunderland manager Steve Bruce — a former United player. "He is flourishing, he loves playing and he loves the games ... I hope Sir Alex gets drunk on his birthday (on December 31) and lets us keep him."
Sunderland is now level on 27 points with fifth-place Tottenham, which has played a game less.
"It just shows (what we can achieve) with a bit of resilience — we were down to bare-bones defensively but we kept a clean sheet," Bruce said.
After losing for just the second time in eight matches, Bolton dropped to seventh place on 26 points.
"We feel aggrieved not to be leaving with a point," Bolton manager Owen Coyle said. "I think the game today showed we are a decent team ... The way we came out (in the) second half we put Sunderland under pressure for the last 25 minutes."
Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon produced a series of saves to secure the victory.
The first came after nine minutes when Kevin Davies' shot was blocked by Gordon's foot, while Zat Knight's strike from point-blank range was turned over on the stroke of half time.
Bolton had chances to equalize in the closing minutes. Gary Cahill's goalbound effort was blocked by defender Anton Ferdinand and Ivan Klasnic volleyed wide when he was unmarked six meters (yards) from the goal.
Sunderland substitute Bolo Zenden might have increased the home side's lead in a frantic conclusion, but he headed wide from Jordan Henderson's cross.
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