West Ham had not won in seven Premier League games going into the Stadium of Light encounter and Sunderland will no doubt argue they did not deserve to end that run after barely getting out of their half for large periods.

Their counter-attacking tactics worked a treat, though, as Behrami's deflected 20th-minute effort earned them their first win since September and 13th place in the table.

Roy Keane drafted Andy Reid back into his starting line-up and the Irishman twice whipped in dangerous crosses for Cisse in a promising Sunderland start.

The first was well punched out by Robert Green in the visitors' goal, though, and the second was headed well over by a man whose day was not to get any better.

West Ham struggled to impose themselves in the early stages but they took the lead against the run of play in the 20th minute when Julien Faubert's free-kick was headed clear for Behrami to fire in a left-footed shot which sped past Marton Fulop via a deflection off Kenwyne Jones.

Cisse headed wide another decent Reid delivery almost immediately after but the Hammers, content to sit deep and counter, should have made it 2-0 on the stroke of half-time when Craig Bellamy rounded Fulop and squared for Behrami, who somehow hit the bar from six yards.

The second period started with more heavy Sunderland pressure but the theme of the first 45 minutes continued, with Cisse missing half-chances and seeing half-hearted penalty appeals waved away.

Lee Bowyer headed just over at the other end as West Ham continued to threaten with their rare breaks, but Cisse really should have levelled matters in the 65th minute when he completely misjudged yet another excellent Reid cross and ended up putting it behind with his shoulder.

That proved to be the best chance created by the hosts, with a 20-yard Phil Bardsley effort the closest they came to an equaliser. Defeat sees the Cats slip below West Ham to 16th.