Sunderland finally earned their first win of the season courtesy of a 2-1 victory away at Bournemouth last weekend.
The Black Cats had to fight back from a goal down at the Vitality Stadium but managed to do so through a Victor Anichebe strike and Jermain Defoe penalty.
The result was made all the more impressive by the fact they played with ten men for the last half an hour when the score was still locked at 1-1.
The result could be one to kick-start their season and relieve some of the pressure on manager David Moyes.
The Scot took over after Sam Allardyce ascended to the England job but has struggled with the magnitude of the task at the Stadium of Light.
The aim again seems to be avoiding relegation, but with a lack of personnel brought in during the summer, it looks a big ask – particularly as they failed to win any of their first ten games.
With such a positive result though, this could all change. Here are five reasons Sunderland’s season is about to turn around.
THEY’RE SHOWING FIGHTING SPIRIT
Usually the Sunderland relegation fightback starts in spring as a new manager inspires the Black Cats to dig in and grind out surprise results.
It seems as though that battling spirit may be taking hold a little earlier this year as Moyes’ boys came back from a goal down despite Steven Pienaar seeing red.
If Moyes can inspire that attitude in a few more games, Sunderland will start picking up points and maybe even climb out of the relegation zone before the New Year.
ANICHEBE IS A GAME-CHANGER
A big problem Sunderland have had this season it simply getting the ball forward.
Moyes has tended to play five at the back or pack out the midfield to frustrate the opposition, leaving Jermain Defoe up front on his own.
This tactic tends to only work if you have a big man up front to hold up the play, something Sunderland had been missing.
But Victor Anichebe made his first start of the season on Saturday and looks like he can be the ideal foil for Defoe while chipping in with some goals himself.
THEY FINALLY HAVE A SETTLED DEFENCE
Injuries and a lack of quality have seen Sunderland chop and change their backline numerous times already this season.
Moyes has used nine different defenders so far this campaign but may have finally found the right combination.
Lamine Kone has been their best defender since arriving in January while Paps Djilobodji had a good game at the weekend.
Patrick van Aanholt is great going forward despite being defensively suspect, while Billy Jones’ return from injury couldn’t have come at a better time.
PICKFORD LOOKS LIKE THE REAL DEAL
A solid defence looks a lot better when it has a capable goalkeeper behind it.
Sunderland’s backline will be a lot more confident engaging the opposition knowing they have Jordan Pickford behind them.
The 22-year-old has produced the second most saves this season (41) despite playing less games than a lot of other keepers and looks like the kind of glovesman who can decide a result single-handed.
THEY’VE GOT JERMAIN DEFOE
The main factor likely to keep Sunderland up is their top goalscorer, Jermain Defoe.
Defoe managed an impressive 15 goals in 33 games for a struggling Sunderland side last season as they rallied to stave off relegation.
He has started this season in impressive form as well, bagging six goals in the opening 11 games.
The 34-year-old knows where the back of the net is and Sunderland know he’ll score more often than not if they create chances.
