It was a goal of which Sunderland's legendary number nine Niall Quinn would have been proud. Dennis Cirkin's brave far-post header left Wigan skipper Tendayi Darikwa flattened, goalkeeper Ben Amos beaten, and the Latics floored, as Sunderland completed their second-half comeback at the Stadium of Light.
Quinn, who was back Wearside to mark the 20th anniversary of his final appearance for the club, was beaming in the directors' box as the ball hit the net. Cirkin's goal was the first of his senior career, and it marked his return to the side after more than a month out of commission with a hamstring injury.
And it crowned a move sparked by the speed of thought of Luke O'Nien to take a quick free-kick to Alex Pritchard, and then Pritchard's inviting cross. Even then, Darikwa looked favourite to win the header, right up to the point where he found himself face down on the turf, with the sound of the Sunderland fans' celebrations ringing in his ears.
