Over the years, Sunderland have played their part in some historic final-day encounters with relegation, promotion and titles all on the line.
Red & White looks back at some of the most memorable final-day games in the Club’s recent history…
1980-81: Liverpool 0-1 Sunderland
The Lads went into the final day of the season needing a win to absolutely guarantee them safety in the topflight.
With Mick Docherty in caretaker charge of the side, his task was to steer them to safety against Bob Paisley’s Liverpool.
But the Reds having one eye on their European Cup final against Real Madrid, Sunderland put the sword to the hosts in a vital encounter on the final day with Stan Cummins scoring the game’s only goal in the first half.
A herculean effort to keep the hosts at bay for the remainder of the game meant the Lads secured their topflight status.
Results elsewhere meant that Sunderland would have stayed up irrespective of their win at Anfield, but the result and the occasion made for a day to remember for the travelling supporters.
1981-82: Sunderland 1-0 Manchester City
Before the illustrious days of Champions League-winning exploits, mid-table Manchester City stood between relegation and safety for Sunderland.
With the annual cliff-hanger in full swing, a packed-out Roker Park piled their way into the turnstiles to watch the Lads carry out a full-blooded affair.
In the first half, Mick Buckley found room inside the box and slammed the ball low into the net to provide the game’s only goal.
Joyous scenes were sparked upon the final whistle with the Roker Park pitch becoming a sea of red with fans adorning their survivalists.
2006-07: Luton Town 0-5 Sunderland
With promotion back to the Premier League already secured, the Championship title was up for grabs on the final day. Roy Keane’s side, who had produced a remarkable turnaround in the season to catapult themselves up the table, were up against the Hatters at Kenilworth Road.
It was a final-day demolition in Bedfordshire with the Lads scoring two goals in the first 10 minutes of the game through Anthony Stokes and Daryl Murphy.
Murphy went on to double his tally in the second period before Ross Wallace’s long-distance strike and David Connolly’s 13th goal of the season rounded off a remarkable day.
Birmingham City’s 1-0 defeat against Preston North End at Deepdale meant Keane’s men leapfrogged the Blues on the final day and won the title.
The trophy was paraded around the pitch after the game and an iconic moment was born as Nyron Nosworthy enjoyed the occasion with the fans whilst sporting some new headwear.
2010-11: West Ham United 0-3 Sunderland
Whilst previous final-day encounters proved to be nail-biting for the Lads over the years, Steve Bruce's side were able to enjoy themselves at Upton Park with the Hammers already condemned to Championship football for the following season.
A top-half finish was secured thanks to goals from Bolo Zenden, Stephane Sessegnon and Cristian Riveros in East London.
2011-12: Sunderland 0-1 Manchester United
As far as final-day games go, this game would transpire to be one of the most historical in Premier League history.
Despite defeat at the Stadium of Light and little to play for the hosts, it was the day that our opponents had the Premier League title snatched away from their hands by fiercest rivals Manchester City with Sergio Aguero scoring the last-gasp winner against Queens Park Rangers.
Premature celebrations came to a grinding halt in the away end as news filtered through from the Etihad Stadium.
2022-23: Preston North End 0-3 Sunderland
With Tony Mowbray’s side striking form at the right time in the season, the Lads had given themselves an outside chance of the reaching the top six in the Sky Bet Championship.
Results needed to go their way, with Blackburn Rovers’ contest with Millwall the one to keep an eye on.
With the contest even at the break at Deepdale, Millwall’s 3-1 lead against Blackburn Rovers meant the Lads couldn’t finish sixth.
However, a dramatic second-half turnaround would play out in. Mowbray’s side were at their captivating best in rainy conditions with Amad’s long-range strike curling into the top corner.
Alex Pritchard’s smart finish followed by Jack Clarke’s trademark goal rubber-stamped the victory whilst a dramatic turnaround played-out at The Den with Blackburn going 4-3 up against the Lions.
That victory meant Sunderland crept into the play-offs in unlikely circumstances with jubilant scenes on the pitch in front of over 5,000 travelling supporters.