However, the hosts' quiet authority was soon rewarded and Malbranque was key to the opener.
Such was Malbranque's first-half dominance that Fulham right-back Chris Baird was replaced at half time by Volz.
But Wigan paid the price for leaving Sunderland creator Malbranque in space on the left after 15 minutes.
At a rowdy JJB Stadium, Bramble inadvertently nodded home from a Steed Malbranque cross in the 15th minute.
They combined to play in Steed Malbranque but he sliced his shot wide.
It was Richardson's last action of significance, as he came off the pitch to be replaced by Steed Malbranque.
The England striker made it 2-0 just six minutes later, finishing well after being fed in by Steed Malbranque.
Keane tapped in the first after Steed Malbranque's volley had hit the post.
However, they gradually found their composure and had their first real chance when Malbranque sent Cisse clear midway through the half.
Again Malbranque had a part to play, the midfielder squaring to Berbatov, whose lay-off was crashed home left-footed by Huddlestone with Niemi unmoved.
Spurs were threatening on the break and rounded off the afternoon when Malbranque ran into space and crossed low for Lennon to convert.
Kenwyne Jones pounced on an error from Blackburn goalkeeper Paul Robinson to level before Djibril Cisse converted a Steed Malbranque pass for the winner.
Fulham began to threaten, and Steed Malbranque forced a good save from Russell Hoult with a right-foot drive from the edge of the box.
Wales defender Collins was also involved in the second incident when Cisse tumbled to the ground as he ran on to a Steed Malbranque flick.
Steed Malbranque and Radzinski were in inspired form, the latter's pass causing indecision in the Bolton defence and allowing McBride to nip in and score.
Up to that point, Sunderland had only managed a couple of curling efforts from Malbranque and Jordan Henderson that failed to trouble keeper Pepe Reina.
Keane has had a busy summer in the transfer market, signing experienced Premier League players such as Pascal Chimbonda, Teemu Tainio, El-Hadji Diouf and Steed Malbranque.
With Arsenal slowly beginning to take control of the match they were reduced to 10 men when Song was shown a second yellow for blocking Steed Malbranque.
Sure enough, a cushioned header from Malbranque fell into the path of Cisse, who had just managed to stay onside and found himself in perfect position to beat Robinson.
Alert Steed Malbranque ran round the back of slumbering marker Carlos Cuellar but, though Bardsley's deep cross cleared the Spaniard, the Black Cats midfielder steered his back-post header wide.
Substitute Steed Malbranque's strike was beaten away by the over-worked - if not entirely convincing - Kingson, and the keeper also did well to keep out Henderson's 18-yard strike.
Malbranque, 28, had been given 24 hours to sign for the Black Cats by boss Roy Keane and is the third player to be signed by Sunderland from Tottenham.
Reid crossed to the far post where Steed Malbranque was lurking, but his header was prevented from crossing the line by what replays proved was a clear handball from Pugh.
The goal did at least spark some attacking fervour from Tottenham, with Steed Malbranque seeing a firm shot deflected wide and then a volley minutes later palmed wide by Gomes.
Blackburn looked ill at ease as Sunderland's confidence grew and, with Malbranque frequently a creative force in midfield, it seemed inevitable that further opportunities would fall the way of the visitors.
After the break, it was more of the same as both sides struggled to carve open clear cut opportunities and the main excitement came from watching the red mist descend on Malbranque.
Malbranque carried the ball into the Birmingham half before feeding Bent on the edge of the area and the England man turned inside the covering Birmingham defender and fired past Joe Hart.
The versatile Finnish international became Sunderland manager Roy Keane's first summer signing on Wednesday, but is set to be joined at the north-east club by Pascal Chimbonda, Steed Malbranque and Younes Kaboul.
However, minutes after Keane had hit the post with a swiped shot from 20 yards, the Irishman gave Spurs the lead, turning home from close range after Carroll failed to hold Malbranque's shot.
Berbatov was again the architect, laying the ball back for Jenas, whose thumping shot was parried by the Finn, who then snaked out an arm to fingertip Steed Malbranque's follow-up around the post.
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