We look at four things we learned after Sunderland came back from 1-0 down to beat Plymouth 3-1 to take the hosts in the playoffs.
In a rollercoaster match, Sunderland scored three great goals in the second half to completely turn the game on its head.
Pierre Ekwah started the comeback before Jack Clarke and Jobe Bellingham netted two great curling efforts to give Sunderland all three points.
It was a great performance from the Black Cats, with the Stadium of Light now witnessing back-to-back 3-1 victories after the win over Stoke City in January.
Now, looking back at the game, we look at four things we learned as Sunderland extended their unbeaten run to three games.
Sunderland shoot themselves in the foot early on
Just as Sunderland looked to be taking charge of the game, the hosts went and shot themselves in the foot.
One long ball caused havoc for the Black Cats defence as Ryan Hardie was played through with a long ball.
Sunderland even looked like they might have gotten away with it as well, as the Plymouth striker fumbled his chance to get around the ‘keeper. However, the backline could not recover in time and allowed Plymouth to take charge of the game going into the break.
With the striker in his own half when the ball was played, no offside was given for the goal.
Sunderland finally make free-kicks count
After having a series of free-kicks in the first-half, Sunderland fans can be forgiven for not having much hope when they got another early in the second period.
The hosts wasted three good opportunities earlier in the game with none really testing the ‘keeper.
However, Sunderland finally made it fourth time lucky. Patrick Roberts perfectly laid the ball off for Ekwah who fired it into the bottom corner for a wonderful equaliser.
The game came at a great time for the hosts who were struggling to break down Plymouth beforehand.
Jack Clarke and Jobe Bellingham show their quality once again
Clarke once again stepped up and became the hero for Sunderland. With the scoreline level, many fans were looking towards their main man to be the different maker and he undoubtedly delivered.
After Ekwah netted a sensational equaliser, Clarke used the momentum the hosts had to give them the lead. The attacker wonderfully cut the ball inside and smashed it into the net off the post to make it 2-1.
Two minutes after coming off the bench, Bellingham decided to almost replicate this. The midfielder cut into the box with a wonderful bit of skill before curling the ball back into the net.
This duo are clearly special and Sunderland needs to ensure they do everything to keep hold of them in the summer.
Sunderland and Michael Beale now need to push on
The result is certainly a good one for Sunderland but one that was arguably expected. Despite Plymouth going into the game with one league loss in their last nine, this was an opportunity for Beale to go into the playoffs once again which he took with open arms.
Sunderland face little trouble throughout the game as well. Apart from Plymouth’s opener, the Black Cats were largely the dominate team.
This was then rewarded with Hull City’s defeat against Swansea seeing the Black Cats move into the top six. Beale now needs to ensure that his side keeps this momentum and picks up more wins in the coming weeks.