Sunderland 2-4 Burnley: Clarets shrug off poor start for impressive away win
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Nathan Tella scored his sixth goal since joining Burnley on loan from Southampton
Burnley staged a sensational comeback as they came from two goals down to win at Sunderland.
Amad Diallo's first goal for the Black Cats and Dan Neil's strike four minutes later put the home side in control after only 20 minutes.
But having been two down for the first time under boss Vincent Kompany, the visitors rallied magnificently in the second half as Nathan Tella's close-range header put them back in the game before substitute Manuel Benson levelled with his left-foot.
The comeback continued with a delightful curling strike from Anass Zaroury into the top corner before Josh Brownhill made the points safe with three minutes remaining to keep Burnley third in the table.
For the opening 45 minutes, Burnley looked nothing like promotion contenders and some supporters reacted by throwing objects from the upper tier of the North Stand, prompting a stadium announcement that the game could be halted if they did not stop.
Sunderland were hopeful of just a second win in seven matches as they took an early lead when Jack Clarke's cross to the far post gave Diallo a simple finish and Neil added the second soon after with a left-foot shot as Burnley failed to clear.
But the mood among home fans changed drastically in the second period as their stormed back to claimed a seventh win of the season.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis headed a corner back across goal to give Tella a simple finish and Burnley a route back into the game.
Benson then cut in from the flank and sent over a left-foot cross that evaded everyone and found the bottom corner.
Aro Muric made an important save for Burnley to prevent Jack Clarke's right-footed shot putting Sunderland back in front before the visitors went ahead for the first time with a superb goal from Zaroury before Benson fed Brownhill to make it safe.
Sunderland manager Tony Mowbray told BBC Radio Newcastle:
"The first half was about intensity from us to stop a good team from playing.
"We decided not to be the team who lets them have 70% possession - we had a go and got our rewards.
"Second half it was hard to maintain that level and their quality came through and we went into protect mode rather than be aggressive."
Burnley boss Vincent Kompany told BBC Radio Lancashire:
"I think every lesson we need about football was in this game.
"I hated everything about the first half - the basics weren't there. And then in the second half it's everything I love about the game.
"A game of two halves is a good statement. Fair play to the lads because we haven't encountered this situation so far this season."