By Press Association Reporter
Published: 00:29 GMT, 5 January 2019 | Updated: 00:29 GMT, 5 January 2019
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Billy Vunipola scored on his return to the Saracens team but could not prevent his side from slumping to a 24-18 defeat at the hands of an impressive Sale at the AJ Bell Stadium.
Vunipola was playing his first game since breaking his arm in October and his try, combined with Owen Farrell's penalty, gave Sarries an early 10-3 lead, but it was Sale that took a five-point advantage into the interval.
Sam James touched down to add to an earlier Rob du Preez penalty before Denny Solomona crossed the whitewash to take the Sharks 15-10 ahead.
Billy Vunipola scored on his return to the Saracens team but could not prevent defeat to Sale
Farrell and Du Preez traded three-pointers just shy of the break but the hosts' fly-half kicked Sale to victory in the second half with successive efforts off the tee, despite the Londoners gaining a bonus-point via a late Nick Tompkins try.
That point allowed Saracens to move top of the Gallagher Premiership standings, although Exeter can reclaim first place when they host Bristol on Saturday.
The visitors initially controlled the game through the accurate kicking of their half-backs and deservedly opened their account in the
