Going into their respective final games of last season, Sunderland still had work to do to secure a League One play-off place and Burnley still had a chance of Premier League survival. They were separated by two divisions and, had events played out differently, they might still have been separated by two divisions today.
Instead, Sunderland secured promotion via the play-offs and Burnley were relegated from the top flight, and the two sides now inhabit the Championship. That is where the similarities end, however, with a huge gulf standing between the sides in terms of financial resources, player quality, squad depth, and expectations for the current season.
But, for 45 minutes on Saturday, Sunderland bridged that yawning chasm through sheer force of will. They literally played Burnley off the park in the first half at the Stadium of Light, denying the visitors so much as a single shot on target.
READ MORE: Burnley boss Vincent Kompany's 'fantastic' verdict on Sunderland's performance
Amad Diallo's opener - his first goal since joining Sunderland on loan from Manchester United - rapidly followed by a Dan Neil strike meant the Black Cats were 2-0 up inside 20 minutes, and it was no wonder that the Burnley players headed down the tunnel at the break to a chorus of boos from their travelling fans. Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray did not want half-time to come, because he knew that Burnley could not possibly be as bad in the second period as they had been in the first.
And he was right. Not only were Burnley much improved in the second half, aided by the half-time introduction of Belgian winger Manuel Benson, but Sunderland could not maintain the same intensity in the second half as they had in the first.
With Sunderland missing four of their five tallest outfielders through injury, it was no surprise that a set-piece provided Burnley with a route back into the game. A corner, a header back across goal, and a headed finish from on-loan Southampton midfielder Nathan Tella.
Coming just five minutes into the second half, it changed the complexion of the game. The momentum shifted, Sunderland were pressed back, Burnley could smell blood.
Ten minutes later, Benson's curling cross evaded everyone and found the bottom corner to level things up. Less than ten minutes after that, Aniss Zaroury's stunning finish completed the turnaround.
And with three minutes remaining, Neil was caught in possession and Josh Brownhill made sure Burnley took the points back to Lancashire. The clinical Clarets ended the game with four shots on target and four goals; strikerless Sunderland with five shots on target and two goals.
The sense of disappointment around the Stadium of Light at blowing a two-goal lead was palpable and there were a few boos at the final whistle. But in reality, despite the results, Sunderland deserve credit for the way they have performed against ex-Premier League sides that should have been a cut above them this season.
Against Norwich on Wearside in August, Sunderland lost 1-0 in a game they deserved to win. At Watford last month they twice came from behind to earn a point.
And now they have got themselves into a matchwinning position against Burnley, albeit only to then let it slip. Ahead of Sunday's fixtures, Sunderland remained 13th in the table but the Championship is so tight at this stage - the Black Cats are just five points from the play-offs places, yet also only four points above the relegation zone - that it is hard to know whether to look up or to look down.
In these circumstances, Sunderland's best bet is to look forward and concentrate on next weekend's trip to Luton Town. There is a chance that Simms could return at Kenilworth Road, and after seven games without a centre-forward, it would not be a moment too soon.
READ NEXT:
-
Sunderland's first half against Burnley showed they can compete against anyone, says Tony Mowbray
- Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray explains Patrick Roberts' absence against Burnley
- Tony Mowbray's verdict on Burnley defeat and Sunderland's second half struggles
- Sunderland 2-4 Burnley player ratings as excellent first half displays are thrown into reverse
- Sunderland blow two-goal lead as Burnley romp to victory at the Stadium of Light
