In a derby that means so much to both clubs, there was a tetchiness from the very beginning. Newcastle were the ones to show the most early intent, though, as Anthony Elanga headed over from a Lewis Hall cross.
Having already blocked an attempted clearance from Melker Ellborg, Anthony Gordon punished Luke O’Nien after his pass was cut out by Nick Woltemade, putting the hosts ahead with a composed finish just 10 minutes into proceedings, and perhaps also offering a form of redemption for Woltemade after his own goal decided the reverse fixture.
Ironic cheers rang out around St James’ Park as Granit Xhaka’s subsequent attempt ballooned high and wide, but Chemsdine Talbi caused much more concern with a curling effort from outside the box that Aaron Ramsdale did well to claw away.
The Magpies continued to make moves forward of their own, with Elanga being played through by Woltemade and working space for a shooting opportunity, but ultimately firing into the side netting.
Woltemade then saw an instinctive shot blocked by Lutsharel Geertruida before Sven Botman headed a Hall cross against the post.
The hosts suffered a blow early in the second half when Botman was forced off following a boot to the head from Brian Brobbey, and that disappointment was compounded within three minutes.
Ramsdale palmed Chris Rigg’s shot behind, and Newcastle couldn’t deal with the ensuing corner as Burn denied Habib Diarra, only for the ball to fall invitingly for Talbi to convert.
Xhaka then hit an ambitious strike that looped off Jacob Ramsey on its way towards the roof of the net, before Jacob Murphy worked Ellborg shortly after coming on as part of an Eddie Howe triple change.
Ramsdale was worked again as he parried Noah Sadiki’s shot, and the tension rose as Geertruida deflected Harvey Barnes’ attempt behind at one end before Malick Thiaw blocked Brobbey’s attempt at the other.
Thiaw appeared to have made his mark with a header at the other end with a quarter-hour remaining, but the goal was ruled out for an offside infringement.
Gordon then blazed two shots harmlessly over, opening the door for Sunderland to strike a 90th-minute winner when Enzo Le Fée found Brobbey, who saw one shot saved, then converted the rebound.
That dramatic late goal earned Sunderland their first win in three matches across all competitions, taking the Black Cats a point above Newcastle in the PL table, with the Magpies’ back-to-back defeats coming in very different but equally demoralising ways.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Brian Brobbey (Sunderland)