Sunderland’s 10 Best Premier League Games Since They Won Promotion

So here we have it, the greatest, great game. Number one was a fairly easy choice: The Di Canio derby.

This was one of the rare occasions where Paolo Di Canio’s passion was used to positive effect. The side hadn’t won at St James’ Park for over ten years, yet on this occasion the players really looked up for it. 

After seeing a couple of early chances go begging, it was Stephane Sessegnon who opened the scoring with a 25-yard strike into the bottom corner. The goal was top quality, but nothing compared to what followed.

After defending well throughout a period of Newcastle dominance, Adam Johnson received the ball on the left and proceeded unchallenged towards the opposition area, before curling a stunning effort into the far corner. Di Canio famously slid on his knees in celebration.

The best was yet to come as David Vaughan capped a stunning and at the time, a rare victory for Wearside by smashing the ball into the top corner with the outside of his left boot.

The win gave Sunderland a crucial three points, a factor acknowledged by most fans as key to the side staying up that year.