Wilson Isidor labeled the current Sunderland team as “special” when their urge went to championship promotion with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Middlesbrough on Monday.
In the result, Sunderland recorded a first competition double about Boro since the 1961-62 season, while they also brought Sheffield United within three points.
Delano Burgzorg handed the hosts a 11th minute lead with a quiet finish past Anthony Patterson after he was brilliantly played by Hayden Hackney.
But Sunderland dragged itself just after half an hour on half an hour when the Dan Neil strike in the net after a touch by Boro defender George Edmundson.
And it took only six minutes after the restart for the visitors to take the lead by Isidor, who took the time before he sat down and tapped the ball home.
After he played a role in the opening goal, Hackney got himself on the score sheet to restore parity in the Riverside Stadium with a bright drive in the left corner.
But there would be a further turn three minutes after time when the cross of Enzo Le Fee was channeled by the unfortunate Ryan Giles along his own keeper.
Earlier this month, Isidor responded well to his double penalty Miss against Burnley, a day he described as “the worst of his life”.
He has now scored three goals in four champion matches since his peat Moor problems and pen on paper for a new deal with the Black Cats until 2028 last Saturday.
“We really wanted to win and take six points from them because it is important in our title race,” Isidor ITV Sport said after the full -time whistle.
“Nothing is too much for these fans and this club, that's why my emotions were a bit too much.
“[Against Burnley]I missed two penalties. I just have to bounce back and keep my chin up. The fans really helped me – they were great.
“That is why it was easy for me to sign a new contract. I love being here and my teammates.
“During the break, the coach said that Middlesbrough was more aggressive than we were. We knew that the game was important to them, so we tried to be more aggressive and play more vertically, which is our strength.
“I don't want to solve limits. I said at the start of the season that I wanted 10 goals. Now I am there.
“We play for Sunderland and you have to play with passion. The only thing we can do is our best in the sweater.
“We are not shy to say that we want to be promoted. This group is special, and that also applies to the coach. The fans know. We like to be together.”
For Michael Carrick and Middlesbrough, they now continue to place just outside the play-off and their performance on Monday maybe at least one point.
They gathered a expected goals (XG) a total of 1.32 of their 12 shots, while they also enjoyed 52.7%, but eventually fell short due to a moment of accident.
“It is very difficult to take in those circumstances. We have to accept it. We are bitter disappointed not to get anything out of the game,” Carrick told Sky Sports.
“I thought we started and scored particularly well. Maybe we could have had another one.
“The bent goal, which is a bent goal. George [Edmundson] tried to stand in the way, but that is clearly possible.
“Second half, they scored from scratch, and then we responded reasonably well, I thought.
“We had one or two chances where we thought we had the momentum and then the game drove a bit afterwards.
“And then the goal at the end, the way it went, is a difficult one.”
Boro hopes to return to winning ways when they return to championship campaign in nine days, but are confronted with a strict test against Chris Wilder's Blades in Bramall Lane.
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