David Connolly opened the scoring in the fourth minute and Tobias Hysen doubled the advantage on nine minutes. But the final say went to Trinidad and Tobago striker John, who found the net twice in as many minutes in the closing stages of the game to claim his first goals since a recent move from Coventry.

This was Sunderland's sixth win in their last seven league encounters and they now move to fifth in the table.

At Molineux, former Bohemians man Stephen Ward struck for Wolves as Mick McCarthy's side held on for a 2-1 win over Burnley to maintain their own play-off hopes. Chris McCann pulled one back for the Clarets before Michael Kightly sealed the points.