Anthony Patterson's brilliant save from an Ilias Chair penalty was pivotal as Sunderland beat QPR to reclaim a top-six place in the Championship.
The home-grown keeper somehow kicked away the spot-kick, placed down the middle as he dived full-length to his left, to preserve the visitors' 1-0 lead, given to them by midfielder Luke O'Nien.
O'Nien bundled the ball home after Rangers keeper Seny Dieng had fumbled Dan Ballard's header from a corner.
Jack Clarke made sure of the points with two more goals in the last 10 minutes as Sunderland counter-attacked Rangers' ineffective attempts to get back into the game.