The Black Cats took the lead in the 18th minute, thanks to Julio Arca's sixth goal of the season, with Walsall providing little threat thereafter.
The popular Argentinian had dropped back to his preferred left back position, with George McCartney partnering Phil Babb at the hear of the defence.
Defensive duties were put to one side, however, for Hoolio to smash FA Cup hero Tommy Smith's semi-cleared shot into the back of the net.
Arca was his influential self throughout, his inch-perfect pass sending John Oster clear, only for the Welsh international to fluff his chance.
Walsall are fighting for their Division One lives - and it showed for the rest of the first half as Sunderland turned it on.
Former Sunderland captain Paul Bracewell is still highly thought of on Wearside, after three spells with the club, which included the 1992 FA Cup Final. 'Brace' is Assistant Manager at the Bescot, but currently in charge of First Team affairs, with regular gaffer Colin Lee in hospital for a hip operation.
Bracewell must have fired his charges up during the interval, as they came at Sunderland with renewed ebullience after the break, Neil Emblen headed home the equaliser, after some pin-ball in the area.
Sunderland were back in the lead within a minute though, Kevin Kyle nodding John Oster's corner past Jimmy Walker in the Walsall goal for his 11th goal of the season, his first in Divison One since before Christmas.
Kyle had worked endlessly and deserved his goal, even if he did celebrate a little over-zealously in the eyes of whistler Alan Kaye, who brandished the game's only yellow card in Kyle's direction.
Substitute Marcus Stewart made the victory complete in the 81st minute, slotting home after being teed up by Kyle.
The result is exactly what Mick McCarthy will have wanted as Sunderland build up to Sunday's FA Cup Quarter Final against Sheffield United.
Sunderland: Poom; Williams, Arca, Babb, McCartney; Thirlwell, Oster (Stewart 76), McAteer, Whitley; Kyle (Byfield 86) and Smith.
Unused subs: Ingham (GK), Clark and Thornton
Referee: Mr A Kaye
Attendance: 7,185
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