safc.com delve into the archives and relive some of the best games at the Stadium of Light where the lads have fired up our city…
Here, we review five memorable matches – do you agree our selections? Tweet us at @SunderlandAFC and use the hashtag #FireUpOurCity!
1 – ’98 PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL V SHEFFIELD UNITED
The first season Sunderland played at the Stadium of Light was a memorable one, with the Black Cats finishing third in the Division One table.
Sheffield United were the side we were to meet in the play-off semi-final, and they stood between Peter Reid’s side and Wembley.
At Bramall Lane, Sunderland were disappointing and lost deservedly 2-1, despite taking an early lead.
The second leg at the Stadium of Light was a ferocious affair and the Sunderland fans provided the best atmosphere our new ground had ever seen.
Allan Johnstone fired in a cross in the 21st minute which was turned in by United defender Nicholas Marker to tie the game at 2-2.
17 minutes later, Sunderland’s talisman Kevin Phillips netted to put the hosts 3-2 up on aggregate and on their way to Wembley.
Lionel Perez made a crucial double save late in the second half, and the Sunderland fans roared the team over the line and on their way to Wembley.
2 – CHELSEA LEFT FEELING BLUE
Sunderland roared their way to promotion during the 1998-99 season and finished with a record 105 points.
But their first season in the Premier League at the Stadium of Light was what put them back on the map - and results at the home were a testament to the fire that was back in the city of Sunderland.
This game though against Chelsea at home was the pinnacle of the 1999-00 season.
We lost our opening game of the season against the Blues 4-0 and were humbled on our return to the top flight.
So, when Chelsea came to the Stadium of Light, fans could be forgiven for fearing the worst. What they got though was a phenomenal first-half performance that saw the Black Cats 4-0 up against one of the best teams in the country.
Kevin Phillips and Niall Quinn both netted a brace as Sunderland ran Gianluca Vialli’s side ragged.
That result put Reid’s men in the top four - not bad for a newly promoted side.
3 – EDWARDS’ STEAMROLLER
Roy Keane took the Sunderland job in August of 2006 with the team sat bottom of the Championship table and looking rather sorry for themselves.
Eight months later, and the Black Cats were rolling towards the most unlikely promotion back to the Premier League thanks to a team spirit not seen on Wearside ever since.
When Sunderland play though, there is always likely to be some adversity. And Burnley were 2-1 up on 50 minutes meaning that promotion was likely to not be in our hands come the final game of the season against Luton Town.
David Connolly atoned for an earlier penalty miss by converting a spot kick on 54 minutes to give fans hope again that the club would return to the top flight.
With the game heading for a draw, Sunderland needed a miracle - and Carlos Edwards took it upon himself to fire in a shot from the banks of the Wear!
That effort flew into the top corner and Keane’s men had went from basement dwellers to Premier League kings.
4 – RICO ROCKET
28 years had passed since Sunderland had beaten Newcastle on home turf and that fact was certainly used in many a pub argument with our friends up the road.
This day though always seemed to be made for Roy Keane’s men to make history and break that unwanted streak of no derby home wins.
Djibril Cisse sent us on our way with a goal in the first half, but Shola Ameobi tied the game and it seemed that we were destined for another frustrating derby day on home turf.
Kieran Richardson had different ideas though and his 20-yard free kick was fired at what seemed like a million miles an hour into the roof of the net.
It was a truly stunning strike from Richardson that was befitting of winning on such an occasion.
5 – EMOTION AT IT’S FINEST
Sunderland trailed Chelsea 2-1 heading into the final stages of their do or die fixture.
Rivals Newcastle were in action at Villa Park and a winner for them coupled with a Sunderland defeat would likely have seen us relegated to the Championship.
In the space of three minutes though, Sunderland went from doomed to nearly safe.
Fabio Borini equalised on 67 minutes to send the Stadium of Light into raptures. But three minutes later, Sunderland fans were sent into ecstasy as Jermain Defoe fired an effort past Thibaut Courtois to put Sunderland 3-2 up and on their way to survival.
