Sunderland moved a step closer to an unlikely return to European football after coming from behind to secure an impressive victory over Everton.
The Black Cats, back in the Premier League this season after winning promotion through last year’s Championship play-offs, remain in contention for a top-seven finish heading into the final weekend of the campaign.
European nights have been absent from Wearside for more than four decades, with Sunderland’s last appearance in a major continental competition coming in the 1973-74 European Cup Winners’ Cup.
Now, Regis le Bris’ side are just one match away from potentially ending that long wait.
Everton opened the scoring late in a quiet first half when Merlin Rohl’s strike from the edge of the area took a heavy deflection off Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka, looping beyond goalkeeper Robin Roefs.
But the visitors improved significantly after the break and deservedly found an equaliser through Brian Brobbey.
The forward shrugged off James Tarkowski before finishing confidently after being played through by Enzo le Fee.
Everton manager David Moyes will be frustrated by the manner of the goal, which came after Jake O’Brien lost possession following a poor first touch that allowed Sunderland to break forward.
Sunderland completed the turnaround in the 81st minute when Le Fee capitalised on Everton’s failure to clear inside the penalty area, firing home to put the visitors ahead.
The Black Cats sealed the win deep into stoppage time as substitute Wilson Isidor arrived unmarked at the back post to convert Habib Diarra’s inviting cross.
Sunderland’s resurgence under Le Bris has been one of the stories of the season.
After years of decline that included relegation from the Premier League in 2016-17 and four seasons in League One, the club are now within touching distance of European qualification in their first season back in the top flight.
The victory lifted Sunderland above Everton into ninth place, just one point behind Brentford in eighth and two behind Brighton in seventh, although Chelsea still have a game in hand.
With Manchester City defeating Chelsea in the FA Cup final, seventh place would now secure a Europa League berth, while eighth would earn qualification for the Europa Conference League.
Sunderland have already enjoyed several memorable moments this season, including home and away victories over rivals Newcastle, as well as impressive results against Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United.
The Black Cats have not finished in the top nine of English football since the 2000-01 season, when they ended the campaign in seventh place.
Attention now turns to a potentially historic final day at the Stadium of Light, where Sunderland host Chelsea knowing European qualification remains within reach.
