Wallace, a 57th-minute replacement for Tobias Hysen, took just a quarter of an hour to make the game's decisive contribution after Stephen McPhail had fouled Grant Leadbitter on the righthand corner of the area.

Sunderland's elevation to second place in the table has arrived on the back of a 14game unbeaten run since the home defeat to Preston on December 30, and is the latest chapter in the impressive turnaround since Keane's arrival at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland had most of the play but Cardiff created the better chances in the first half. Dave Jones' side went close to opening the scoring two times in as many minutes midway through the first half in the game's first real goalmouth action.

Sunderland began to dominate but showed little in front of goal to suggest they were capable of scoring the goals that would see them finish the day in the automatic promotion places.

Cardiff 's football improved in the second period and they were almost rewarded when Paul Parry flashed a shot narrowly wide.

But Sunderland regained a foothold in the game and Jonny Evans sent two warning shots across the Bluebirds' bow before Wallace sank City.