Matty Pearson was on target as Huddersfield beat Sunderland to move five points clear of the Championship relegation zone.
The defender has scored in successive home wins for the Terriers as interim manager Jon Worthington continues to revive their fortunes.
They have won two of his three games in charge and were also excellent in a 5-3 defeat at promotion-chasing Southampton at the weekend.
Lacklustre Sunderland's own revival of three games unbeaten came to an end as the hosts secured their first league double over the Black Cats since 1961.
Michael Beale's team could have moved into the play-off places with a win, but they were second best and could have lost more heavily as Josh Koroma hit a post and Jobe Bellingham cleared a Jack Rudoni header off the line.