Sunderland picked up their first Premier League win at the 10th time of asking after thumping bitter rivals Newcastle United 3-0 in a hugely controversial Wear-Tyne derby.
The defining moment came right at the end of the first half when Fabricio Coloccini was harshly penalised for shouldering Steven Fletcher in the box, with the Argentine sent off.
Adam Johnson slotted home to send the Black Cats on their way, before second-half goals from Billy Jones and Fletcher capped the hosts' sixth straight win over their neighbours.
Here, Sports Mole analyses how the points were won in a historic Sunderland victory.
© Getty Images
Match statistics
SUNDERLAND
Shots: 9
On target: 3
Possession: 40%
Corners: 1
Fouls: 12
NEWCASTLE
Shots: 21
On target: 8
Possession: 60%
Corners: 10
Fouls: 10
Was the result fair?
No. Sunderland and Sam Allardyce got away with one. Newcastle dominated the first half, and if not for a hugely debatable decision by referee Bobby Madley to award the hosts a penalty and send off Coloccini, then Steve McClaren's side in all likelihood are the ones celebrating a derby-day victory tonight.
Sunderland's performance
It goes without saying that luck played a huge role in the victory - the Black Cats' first in what has proven a testing season already - but it papered over the cracks and Allardyce will be wary over reading too much into this. Even at 11 versus 10, the hosts continued to invite Newcastle back into the game, but goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon spared his teammates' blushes on a number of occasions. Only when Fletcher volleyed home the third would Sunderland fans have felt safe. Prior to that, it was far more nervy than it should have been, but Coloccini's unfair dismissal might just be the stroke of luck that Allardyce and co need to kick-start the season.
Newcastle's performance
On one hand, the Magpies can deservedly feel sorry for themselves after a questionable bit of refereeing undermined them. But on the other, they had chances to score before and after Coloccini ever shouldered Fletcher out of the way on the stroke of half time. In a sense, they were their own worst enemy again this afternoon, with Jack Colback missing a fine chance in the first half, but Aleksandar Mitrovic missed the best opportunity of the match early in the second half, at 1-0 down. Had he scored, a nervy Sunderland, without a win all season, could have easily retreated.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Costel Pantilimon: Even with 10 men, Newcastle looked dangerous, and the reason why their promise did not yield goals was because of the big Romanian, who made excellent saves before and after Coloccini's dismissal. Yann M'Vila pushed him close, but Pantilimon was more important for Sunderland on the day.
Biggest gaffe
Simply put, Newcastle, despite their man disadvantage, might have made the short trip home with a result had Mitrovic equalised early in the second half. The Serbian cut inside DeAndre Yedlin brilliantly, but his finish was poor was Pantilimon kept him out. It could and should have put United right back into the contest, but the young striker fluffed his lines. He still does not look like the number nine which Newcastle need.
Referee performance
In truth, Madley ruined the game when he deemed Coloccini's shoulder-to-shoulder challenge on Fletcher to be a penalty. Then, he had little choice but to brandish the red card. It was not a good refereeing performance, and he incurred the wrath of Newcastle fans further by refusing to book Lee Cattermole when he had plenty of opportunities to do so.
What's next?
Sunderland: Allardyce and co have no Capital One Cup duties to attend to in midweek, but they return to action next Sunday for the trip to Everton.
Newcastle: United, who were also knocked out of the League Cup in the previous round, host Stoke City at St James' Park on Saturday.
Shane Callaghan
