The Bluebirds were narrowly defeated at the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon.
Having fought back to equaliser following an early opener by the Black Cats, Chris Mepham's 77th minute winner proved the difference as promotion-chasing Sunderland took all three points.
Omer Riza made three changes to the side that started during the week, with Isaak Davies featuring in the opening XI for the first time this season following his return from injury.
The Black Cats took the lead within the opening two minutes of play, as they capitalised on a loose clearance before Eliezer Mayenda curled home from just inside the City area.
Faced with chasing a lead early on, the Bluebirds were called upon to defend further throughout much of the opening half hour as their hosts sought a second.
Romaine Mundle created some good chances with Jobe Bellingham applying the pressure from midfield.
With ten minutes left of the half, City put themselves on the front foot in possession and began to apply sustained pressure.
Callum Robinson had the Bluebirds’ first clear cut chance as he won the ball at the edge of the area before lashing a left footed effort goalwards, though it flew just wide.
Threatening from the set piece a few minutes later, Rubin Colwill swung a free-kick into the box, with Dimitrios Goutas winning a corner as his headed effort was deflected.
City were rewarded for their efforts with five minutes remaining of the half, as Isaak Davies marked his return to the starting XI with a well-worked equaliser.
Callum O’Dowda’s testing cross was flicked on by Yousef Salech in competition with ‘keeper Anthony Patterson, with Davies on hand to finish neatly with a composed shot.
The hosts created a chance to regain their nearly moments afterwards as Mayenda was played through on goal. Reacting well, Ethan Horvath darted off his line to force him wide inside the area, with the forward only able to hit the side netting thereafter.
A more open-ended second half began with chances shared as both sides chased the third goal of the afternoon.
Countering quickly, Mundle found substitute Chris Rigg at the back post, who was only able to shoot into the arms of Horvath.
At the other end, Patterson was once again challenged by Salech as he unleashed an impressive half-volley from Rubin Colwill’s clipped pass. The ‘keeper pulled off an instinctive save as he pushed the effort onto his near post, with the ball quickly cleared in the aftermath.
With little over ten minutes remaining, Chris Mepham put the hosts ahead as the Bluebirds were caught out by a clever free-kick, resulting in a low cross being converted at close range by the defender.
While City again sought an equaliser in the final minutes, the Black Cats held fast to secure all three points at the Stadium of Light.
FINAL SCORE: SUNDERLAND 2-1 CARDIFF CITY
Sunderland: Patterson, Hjelde (Cirkin 56’), O’Nien, Mepham, Hume, Bellingham, Neil, Browne (Isidor 56’), Mundle (Watson 72’), Mayenda, Roberts (Rigg 24’). Subs: Aleksic, Anderson, Jones, Moore, Seelt.
Cardiff City: Horvath, Ng, Goutas, Bagan, O'Dowda, Mannsverk (Ashford 82’), Chambers (Robertson 72’), Colwill, Davies (Aleves 59’), Robinson (Fish 72’), Salech. Subs: Turner, Lawlor, Giles, Mafico, Willock.