English League Championship/West Ham United 1 Sunderland 2: Republic of Ireland international Stephen Elliott stepped off the bench last night to fire Sunderland to the Championship title with a brilliant late winner that could wreck West Ham's play-off hopes.

The pacy striker, on as a substitute for Marcus Stewart, struck with three minutes left as Sunderland fought back from a goal down at half-time to ensure Mick McCarthy's men clinched the crown.

West Ham made the better start but Sunderland thought they had taken the lead in the 11th minute. Dean Whitehead's close-range effort was saved by James Walker and Chris Brown prodded home - only to see his effort was ruled out for offside.

Marlon Harewood put the home side ahead just before the break, but Sunderland deserved Julio Arca's 52nd-minute equaliser.

WEST HAM UTD: Walker, Powell, Ferdinand, Ward, Repka, Etherington (Noble 73 mins), Reo-Coker, Mullins, Newton (Rebrov 81 mins), Zamora, Harewood. Subs Not Used: Bywater, Fletcher, Chadwick. Booked: Repka, Harewood, Noble. Goals: Harewood 43.

SUNDERLAND: Alnwick, McCartney, Breen (Danny Collins 74 mins), Caldwell, Wright, Lawrence, Whitehead, Robinson, Arca, Brown (Deane 89 mins), Stewart (Elliott 75 mins). Subs Not Used: Welsh, Carson. Booked: Alnwick. Goals: Arca 52, Elliott 87.

Referee: R Beeby (Northamptonshire).