Tom Brady scored a late controversial try as Sale recorded a 25-14 win over Wasps at the AJ Bell Stadium on Sunday.
Tries from Tom Arscott and Chris Cusiter for the Sharks against one from Nathan Hughes for Wasps gave the hosts a 12-7 lead at the break.
Two penalties from Danny Cipriani extended Sale’s lead but an opportunist try from Christian Wade gave Wasps hope.
The game was still in the balance but Brady’s try, despite a blatant knock on in the build-up, sealed the win and deprived Wasps from the losing bonus-point.
In the other game, Newcastle ended their 20-game Premiership drought with a 29-24 success over Exeter at Kingston Park.
Juan Pablo Socino kicked three first-half penalties to go with Sinoti Sinoti’s try for the Falcons but it was the Chiefs who had a slender 15-14 lead at the break after Thomas Waldrom, Ben White and Henry Slade all crossed.
Socino edged the home side in front but three penalties from Gareth Steenson gave what looked like a match-winning 24-17 lead.
But it was not to be as wingers Tom Catterick and Noah Cato stepped in with two tries in two minutes to clinch it for the home side.