During this series we take a look at classic matches from the last decade that will be sure to live long in the memory of Sunderland fans.
Today, we head to Old Trafford in May 2014, when the Black Cats faced a star-studded Manchester United side aiming for all three points to boost their survival hopes.
With three games remaining, the Lads knew two wins would take them to the brink of safety barring an unlikely set of results.
Team News
Gus Poyet named an unchanged side from the 4-0 victory over Cardiff, with Santiago Vergini preferred to Phil Bardsley at right-back, and Connor Wickham leading the line once again.
The Red Devils were without top-scorer Wayne Rooney due to injury, so Javier Hernandez came into the starting XI.
Manchester United: De Gea, Jones, Evra, Carrick, Ferdinand, Vidic, Young (Welbeck 67), Fletcher, Hernandez, Mata (van Persie 66), Nani (Januzaj 52)
Subs not used: Smalling, Valencia, Fellaini, Amos
Subs not used: Bardsley, Ba, Scocco, Ustar
Match Recap
After a quiet opening 30 minutes, Sunderland silenced Old Trafford and took the lead through Sebastian Larsson.
Connor Wickham spun his man by the corner flag and delivered a pin-point cross towards the Swede, who had evaded his marker.
Larsson then did the rest and slotted an accurate volley into the corner of David de Gea’s net.
Ryan Giggs sent on van Persie after the break, but it was the Black Cats who continued to look dangerous as they searched for a second.
Substitutes Jozy Altidore and Emanuele Giaccherini combined and almost put Sunderland in dreamland, but the latter’s effort struck the base of the post.
Javier Hernandez squandered United’s best chance when he fired over unopposed, after latching on to Patrice Evra’s cross.
And shortly after, Sunderland hit the woodwork for the second time, when Fabio Borini’s left-footed drive cannoned off the crossbar following a free-flowing team move.
But a second goal was not required, and Sunderland held on to secure a famous victory over Manchester United.
Moment of the Match
The full-time whistle.
It was a day when three points was all that mattered, and the relief was clear to see when Howard Webb blew the final whistle.
The 1-0 win was Sunderland’s first league win at Old Trafford since 1968.