Black Cats too hot for Burnley and carry on unbeaten home run

HABIB Diarra inspired Sunderland to a comfortable 3-0 win over Burnley as they extended their unbeaten Premier League home run at the Stadium of Light last night.

- By REBECCA JOHNSON, PA

On his first start since returning from Africa Cup of Nations glory with Senegal, Diarra's effort - which deflected off Axel Tuanzebe sent the Black Cats ahead in the opening 10 minutes and he struck again before the break with his first goal for the club since joining in the summer.

Chemsdine Talbi’s brilliant top-corner finish from outside the area wrapped up three points with 18 minutes to play as Sunderland extended their impressive unbeaten record at the Stadium of Light to 12 league games.

As a result the Black Cats climbed into eighth in the table, while Burnley are now 15 Premier League games without a win and remain second-bottom.

Talbi and Diarra were the two changes to the Sunderland starting XI following last weekend's defeat to West Ham, while Lyle Foster and Lucas Pires came in for Burnley after their draw against Tottenham.