Sunderland kept up their 100 percent home record as Carl Winchester's goal proved enough to see off Bolton Wanderers.
Winchester's first-half strike gave the Black Cats all three points at the Stadium of Light, but it was a tough afternoon for Lee Johnson's side.
The Black Cats spent large parts of the game under the cosh and had to defend for their lives at times in the face of heavy Bolton pressure.
But Sunderland held on to make it five wins out of five on their own patch, and they stay second in the table behind Wigan on goal difference.
Here's how James Hunter rated the Sunderland players.
Thorben Hoffmann 8
Made two or three excellent saves to preserve his clean sheet, and the points
Carl Winchester 7
Got forward at every opportunity down the right, and scored the all-important goal
Tom Flanagan 7
Very solid on his return to central defence
Callum Doyle 7
Put his body on the line at time to make blocks
Dennis Cirkin 8
His crosses caused all kinds of problems before he was forced off with a head injury, and it was one of those that led to Winchester's goal
Luke O'Nien 7
Covered every blade of grass, and made some crucial interventions
Dan Neil 7
Worked hard alongside O'Nien
Aiden McGeady 6
Glimpses of skill, but couldn't provide the killer pass
Alex Pritchard 7
Played in the number ten role and gave Bolton's defence no peace. Should have scored at the start of the second half
Elliot Embleton 6
Operated wide on the left and showed some neat touches around the edge of the box
Ross Stewart 7
Occupied the Bolton defence and made sure Sunderland always had a target to aim for
Subs
Niall Huggins 6
For Cirkin 65mins. Did OK, although he got away with one shanked clearance that let Doyle in
Corry Evans 7
For Pritchard 65mins. His knowhow helped Sunderland see the game out
Leon Dajaku 6
For Embleton 65mins. Had a late chance to score on his home debut, but fired over
Bailey Wright 6
For Doyle 88mins. A fourth substitute allowed because Cirkin had gone off with concussion, he replaced Doyle who appeared to have picked up a knock
Not Used: Burge, Alves, Broadhead
