ANGE POSTECOGLOU is still searching for his first win as Nottingham Forest manager – after going down to a controversial goal at the City Ground.
The former Tottenham boss has now taken charge of five games – losing three and drawing two.
And on the day ex-Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo was made manager at West Ham, Postecoglou faced his home fans for the first time.
But while he will not be happy with the result, he will point to a first-half decision from referee Tony Harrington that left his players fuming – and led to the Black Cats’ 38th-minute winner.
Forest midfielder Nicolas Dominguez went down under what seemed to be a 50-50 challenge with Trai Hume.
But Harrington booked Dominguez for simulation and awarded a free-kick to Sunderland.
From the set-piece, Granit Xhaka floated the ball into the Forest area and defender Omar Alderete stole in to head past keeper Matz Sels for his first Black Cats goal since a summer move from Getafe.
Forest’s players reacted furiously – and skipper Chris Wood had already debated the award of a free-kick before Nikola Milenkovic collected a yellow card for his protest.
The City Ground fans sang “You don’t know what you’re doing” as the officials left the field.
It was also a decision that angered Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, who has made his views known on Premier League referees in the past.
The result meant Sunderland claimed their first away win of the season – which lifted them into third place in the Premier League ahead of Tottenham’s meeting with Wolves.
Forest piled on the pressure after that to try and salvage a point – but they found Black Cats keeper Robin Roefs in top form as he pulled off a string of saves.
Postecoglou sprung a pre-match surprise by leaving Morgan Gibbs-White on the bench.
It looked little more than an exercise in resting his squad players with a testing programme of European and Premier League fixtures ahead – plus the likelihood of England duty.
But it was a bold move from the Australian – who needed something from this game.
Forest looked shaky in the early stages and Wilson Isidor almost cashed in on some hesitant defending as the French forward swept a shot inches wide.
Wood captained Forest with Gibbs-White on the bench with club skipper Ryan Yates.
And the Kiwi striker almost got on to the scoresheet when he headed a Neco Williams cross just wide.
Morgan Gibbs-White benched
Wood caused more problems moments later, and only a late challenge from Black Cats defender Alderete stopped him from getting a shot in on goal.
Dilane Bakwa swung in a 32nd-minute free-kick for Forest which was heading for the top corner until Roefs plucked it out of the air.
But the game exploded five minutes later in the build up to the game’s opening goal.
Dan Ndoye almost levelled before the break but his shot was deflected just wide of the far post.
Postecoglou took Dominguez off at half-time and brought Gibbs-White on.
That was followed 10 minutes after the break by Igor Jesus – who scored twice for Forest at Real Betis on Wednesday – replacing James McAtee.
Forest stepped up the pressure
Callum Hudson-Odoi came on for Dan Ndoye as the Forest boss juggled his attacking options.
Forest stepped up the pressure and Roefs pushed an Elliot Anderson drive around the post – before the new England international curled a shot just over the bar.
But Sunderland still looked dangerous and sub Bertrand Traore swung in a shot which Sels did well to save.
Roefs was keeping his side’s lead intact though – and he pulled off FOUR saves in the space of two minutes to frustrate Forest.
Wood came close with 10 minutes left as Roefs was on hand to save his volley – but the Forest striker then headed wide of an open goal as clear chance went begging.
But Sunderland almost made it two in stoppage time as sub Lutsharel Geertruida made a solo run into the 18-yard box only for Sels to make a vital save.
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