London Irish 20 Sale Sharks 12: Sale Sharks suffered their first English Premiership defeat for almost three months after producing a listless display at the Madejski Stadium.
The Sharks proved rudderless without injured fly-half Charlie Hodgson, and were outplayed by three-try Irish.
Irish's attacking flair was rewarded with tries for wing Sailosi Tagicakibau, centre Gonzalo Tiesi and full-back Delon Armitage.
It proved only the Exiles' fourth league win this term, but they were outstanding value for a victory that rewarded their high-tempo game.
Sale simply did not function with Hodgson watching, rather than playing, and four Luke McAlister penalties were probably more than they deserved.
Armitage added the conversion to Tagicakibau's touchdown, while a late Eoghan Hickey penalty secured the points that left Sale fretting over a performance that fell way below their usual high standard.
