Darren Bent scored the only goal of the game on seven minutes, with Jimmy Bullard missing a penalty for the home side towards the end of the first half.
Both sides were reduced to 10 men on the stroke of half-time after Jozy Altidore and Alan Hutton saw red for violent conduct.
Steed Malbranque came close early on for the visitors but his first-time shot from eight yards flew over the Hull crossbar.
Sunderland did open the scoring minutes later as an unmarked Bent latched on to a looping header from Kenwyne Jones to tap the ball in at the back post and register his 24th league goal of the season.
Nick Barmby tried his luck on the 15-minute mark but his speculative effort from 18 yards was comfortably saved by keeper Craig Gordon.
Hull then came close to an equaliser midway through the half as a Bullard corner found the head of Anthony Gardner but the centre-back could only send his towering effort into the body of Gordon.
Caleb Folan had a great chance to score for the home side on the half-hour mark as a quick free-kick from Geovanni sent the ex-Wigan striker through on goal but his right-footed shot from 12 yards was well parried away by Gordon.
Hull then had a chance to grab one back from the penalty spot as ex-Tiger Michael Turner was adjudged to of brought down Geovanni inside the box.
Bullard took the spot-kick but failed to hit the target as his low right-footed effort hit the bottom of the left hand post, allowing the Sunderland defence to clear the danger.
Both sides were down to ten men in first-half injury-time as Hutton and Altidore came to blows after the Sunderland defender had thrown the ball at the USA international.
Sunderland substitute Lorik Cana found space for a long shot midway through the second half but his right-footed effort from 25 yards was well turned round the post by keeper Matt Duke.
Visiting manager Steve Bruce was then sent to the stands in the closing stages of the match after referee Lee Probert tired of his touchline protestations.
Bernard Mendy came close late on for the Tigers but his right-footed effort was comfortably collected by Gordon.