El-Hadji Diouf's superb first-half strike inspired Bolton to a victory which has all but preserved the club's Barclays Premier League status.
The Senegal striker fired home right-footed from a tight angle after collecting a deep cross from Kevin Nolan in the 42nd minute.
Sunderland substitute Daryl Murphy headed into his own goal with eight minutes remaining to secure a win and left manager Gary Megson punching the air in delight.
Megson's side certainly went about their business in the right manner during the early exchanges.
Not surprisingly, their most potent threat came from set pieces and long punts up to Kevin Davies.
One such delivery was typically flicked on by the striker in the 13th minute and appeared to be blocked by Jonny Evans' arm.
Referee Martin Atkinson ignored claims for a penalty but the Trotters began to steadily build momentum.
whipped crosses
Dangerous whipped crosses from the right flank by full-back Greta Steinsson and Matt Taylor caused panic in the visiting penalty box but no Bolton player was on hand to profit.
Nevertheless, Bolton continued to enjoy success down Sunderland's left flank and in the 28th minute a good cross from El-Hadji Diouf found Davies unmarked at the far post.
Davies flexed his neck muscles to connect firmly but he could not control his header and the ball flew over Craig Gordon's crossbar.
There was a scare for Bolton two minutes later when Kenwyne Jones collected possession on the left side of the home penalty area.
He showed strength to hold off the challenge of Steinsson and make space for a low right-foot shot from 16 yards - but Ali Al Habsi saved.
In the 32nd minute, Diouf went on a superb run and made a neat pass to slip in Steinsson down the right flank - although Steinsson's cross was wayward.
Three minutes before the interval the breakthrough arrived in stunning fashion.
towering striker
Captain Kevin Nolan collected possession on the right flank and steadied himself before flighting over an inch-perfect cross to Diouf, unmarked at the far post just six yards from goal.
Diouf controlled the ball expertly with his first touch and his second was lethal as he sidefooted the ball past Gordon and into the roof of the net.
Bolton remained largely dominant after the restart but Michael Chopra and Kenwyne Jones were a lingering threat for Sunderland.
In the 52nd minute, Chopra found the space to turn on the edge of Bolton's 18-yard box and fire a shot straight at Al Habsi.
Two minutes later, Bolton fashioned a clear-cut opening when Taylor crossed from the left and Diouf saw his diving header deflected for a corner by Danny Collins.
Keane had seen enough by the hour mark and made a triple substitution which almost reaped dividends in the 70th minute.
Roy O'Donovan, one of Keane's substitutes, headed Andy Reid's deep cross straight into Jones' path but the towering striker could not connect from close range with the goal at his mercy.
Bolton put the result beyond doubt eight minutes from time as Daryl Murphy's flicked header from a Wanderers corner flew past Gordon, and although Reid hacked the ball off the line, the own goal rightly stood.
