Jobe Bellingham's goal was his third of the season, while Dan Neil and Dan Ballard both scored their first goals of 2024-25
Sunderland cut the gap to the Championship's automatic promotion places to two points as they came back from 2-0 down to claim a thrilling 3-2 victory at Swansea City.
The Black Cats were on course for only a second defeat since September after Swansea scored twice in the opening 17 minutes, through Zan Vipotnik's cushioned volley and a glorious Liam Cullen free-kick.
But Dan Ballard's diving header halved the deficit before Sunderland took control in the second half.
Dan Neil's fabulous solo goal brought Regis le Bris' team level and, with Swansea bewildered, Jobe Bellingham swept home what proved to be the winner two minutes later.
This was just a second victory in nine matches for Sunderland, who climb a place to third in the table, while Swansea drop to 10th having seen their four-game unbeaten run came to an end in painful fashion.
Luke Williams' team have shown encouraging signs in recent weeks, but have now lost all seven of their games against the sides currently occupying the top seven places in the Championship this season.
Swansea had come into this contest in upbeat mood after their most consistent run of Williams' 11-month tenure, and their confidence was apparent as they went in front via the first chance of the game.
After a Matt Grimes free-kick was only half-cleared, Swansea's captain sent in a second cross which was headed skywards by Harry Darling.
As Sunderland's defence dallied, Vipotnik accepted the invitation to guide home from point-blank range.
Cullen then forced a decent save from Anthony Patterson before doubling Swansea's lead in spectacular fashion when his 22-yard free-kick whipped over the wall and into the net via the underside of the bar.
This was the best moment yet for Cullen during a sparkling run of form which has brought the Wales international six goals in his past seven appearances for club and country.
Crucially, perhaps, Sunderland found a swift response.
Again the goal came from a set-piece, as Ballard got in front of Josh Key to head inside the far post.
Swansea might have stretched their advantage before the break, with Ballard blocking Myles Peart-Harris' shot before Ben Cabango shot wide when another set-piece was not dealt with.
Liam Cullen has scored four goals in his last six Swansea matches
But Sunderland improved significantly right from the start of the second period, committing bodies forward and putting sustained pressure on Swansea for the first time.
Wilson Isidor broke the offside trap but could not hit the target, then Patrick Roberts saw an effort ricochet into the arms of Swansea goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux.
Swansea continued to wobble, so it was no surprise when the equaliser came. After Grimes was dispossessed in midfield – a moment which summed up Swansea's uncharacteristic struggles in possession - Sunderland captain Neil strode forward and drilled an unstoppable shot high into Vigouroux's net.
The comeback was complete 15 minutes from time as Sunderland surged forward once more, Chris Rigg squaring for Bellingham to steer home from point-blank range.
Swansea head coach Luke Williams:
"Miles off the level. Miles off the top six level. We're not even close. That's very obvious after watching that.
"Thinking about it [the top six] is one thing. But playing against the top six and getting destroyed makes you realise that we're nowhere near it.
"It's not even about how we can play against the top six. It's the mentality. We go two in front and then can't wait to concede because it's too much pressure. That's one of the things that happens when you compete in the top six.
"One of the things that happens is you accumulate pressure. If you don't like being there, it's not the right place for you, you try and find a way to get out of that uncomfortable situation and we did a brilliant job of that today."
Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris:
"It was a long week so I am happy to win. We started slowly with two goals conceded on set-plays but I thought during the first half that it was possible to be back in the game because we had good qualities on the pitch.
"It was clear in my mind that we just needed to fix one or two problems, especially how they escaped our press with long balls down our left.
"When we fixed that problem, I think we dominated the second half. We were probably a bit more aggressive with our finishing - we created chances and we scored.
"It's good a win – it's good for character, good for confidence and good for the spirit of the team."
