Trevor Sinclair ensured Howard Wilkinson's first game as Sunderland manager ended in defeat as West Ham picked up the three points at the Stadium of Light.

The former Sunderland target netted in the opening half with a fine strike from Paolo di Canio's floated pass.

And the Hammers did enough to hang on for the win which sees them climb off the bottom of the Premiership table.

Wilkinson had made six changes to the side that lost against Arsenal - dropping record signing Tore Andre Flo and Julio Arca.

Kevin Phillips was back after a six-week lay-off in a new-look partnership with Marcus Stewart.

But the closest Willkinson's side came to finding the target was when Niall Quinn hit the post.

The game was won by a single goal scored as early as the 23rd minute.

With the home side still claiming a free-kick from Joe Cole's tangle with Matthew Piper, West Ham broke.

Di Canio's long ball released Sinclair, who did well to control the ball before firing a right-foot shot which scraped under the crossbar past Jurgen Macho.

Sunderland - who have now scored only four goals in 10 games - struggled to create anything from open play.

Their best chances came from set pieces - Craddock twice getting on the end of corners.

The home side came to life in the 36th minute when Stephen Wright crossed following a surging run, but no-one in a red-and-white top could get on the end of it.

Wilkinson brought on David Bellion for Piper at the break and, within 10 minutes, Phillips had the ball in the net, but it was disallowed for offside.