A stunning Henri Camara goal in the eighth minute is enough for Latics to win in an otherwise scrappy encounter.
Kevin Ball's first match after the sacking of Mick McCarthy earlier in the week produced a selection problem as Black Cats captain Gary Breen was suspended after being sent off against Manchester City last week. This meant that Steven Caldwell was handed the captain's armband.
Meanwhile, Latics were unchanged after the valiant display against Manchester United that ended in despairing defeat on Monday night. Graham Kavanagh was making his 500th appearance as a professional in midfield, alongside Jimmy Bullard who was one short of making his bicentenary appearance of his own career. Jason Roberts partnered Henri Camara in attack, and was making his 250th league start. Paul Scharner once again started in central defence alongside Latics skipper Arjan De Zeeuw.
The Black Cats had yet to win a league match at the Stadium of Light this season, whilst Latics had not won for six league games. Our last victory was on our last trip to the North East, when Neil Mellor's last minute strike earned Latics a 3-2 win over Middlesbrough nearly two months ago.
Latics stunned the Stadium of Light and it must have been typical of Sunderland's season. After a scrappy start to the match, Henri Camara fired a stunning shot which curled into the top right corner after just seven minutes from the outside of the penalty box.
It almost came out of nothing and although it was a blow to the Black Cats, but it took that goal for them to come out of their shell a bit more to attack.
Camara threatened again on 13 minutes as but his low shot was blocked by former Gillingham defender Nyron Nosworthy.
Nine minutes later, Sunderland's Stephen Elliot had a clear view of goal as he latched onto a through ball from midfield, but De Zeeuw raced back into the box to distract him, and Filan made a comfortable save from his half-volley.
But in the 26th minute, Stephen Elliot almost levelled the scores with an effort almost as impressive as Camara's goal. Elliiot's volley almost crept into the net, but Filan tipped the ball over the bar for a corner.
Filan was again called into action just two minutes later after he had save a near post effort from a Rory Delap first time shot as he latched onto the end of Arca's cross. The bottom-of-the-table club were creating more chances than Jewell's men.
Moments later, Kevin Kyle stabbed the ball into the net past John Filan, but referee Mike Riley had no hesitation in ruling it out for offside.
Filan made another superb reflex save at the end of the first half, as Stephen Elliot stuck a leg out to as he got on the end of Arca's deep cross.
Sunderland caretaker boss Kevin Ball was forced to withdraw Julio Arca due to injury, and winger Liam Lawrence was his replacement.
But Latics also forced Kelvin Davies into a fantastic save just seconds before the whistle. Jimmy Bullard directed the ball into the penalty box from his free-kick, and it was perfect for Lee McCulloch who volleyed towards the near post from twelve yards, forcing the former Ipswich goalkeeper to parry the ball away.
Half-Time: Sunderland 0 - 1 Latics
Latics started more brightly than the home team but it took ten minutes after the restart before Latics forced a half chance. Henri Camara crossed from the left flank, but Roberts could only head over the bar.
However, Sunderland continued to work hard but couldn't find any space in the box to trouble John Filan. Latics boss Paul Jewell replaced Gary Teale and Graham Kavanagh with David Thompson and Reto Ziegler half way through the second period to try and freshen Wigan legs.
Long balls from Thompson to both Roberts and Camara threatened to hit the Black Cats on the counter attack, but both Latics strikers were denied space.
Goalscoring chances were hard to come by in this very scrappy encounter, and in the 78th minute, Stuart Elliot tried his luck by lobbing John Filan, but the ball landed onto the roof of the net.
A minute later, Filan was forced to come away from his line as Elliot chased a long ball. The Latics 'keeper managed to beat the striker to it and punch the ball away, and it was eventually cleared by Baines.
Latics started to put some more urgency in their game as full time beckoned to a close. Substitute Reto Ziegler was allowed to go into the penalty area and found himself in a great shooting position, but Grant Leadbitter made a superb challenge to deny the on-loan Spurs midfielder.
But Sunderland could have stolen the equaliser with just two minutes left as Filan spilled a Dean Whitehead shot, but Jon Stead's rebound rolled past the near post as he was closely marshalled by Pascal Chimbonda.
Wigan went on to hold on to keep their slender lead, and whilst it wasn't a pretty or entertaining affair, the win was important as it was the first in six league games.
Full-Time: Sunderland 0 - 1 Latics
Latics Starting Line-Up: Filan, Chimbonda, Camara (Johansson 81), McCulloch, Kavanagh (Ziegler 64), De Zeeuw ©, Scharner, Teale (Thompson 58), Bullard, Baines, Roberts.
Unused Substitutes: Walsh, Jackson.
Sunderland Starting Line-Up: Davis, McCartney, Delap (Le Tallec 64), Caldwell ©, Whitehead, Elliot (Stead 86), Nosworthy, Collins, Kyle, Leadbitter, Arca (LAwrence 45).
Unused Substitutes: Murphy, Hoyte.
Referee: Mike Riley (West Yorkshire)
