Sunderland at last turned endeavour into goals to beat Hull City 2-0 on Saturday, a rare away win that came too late to avoid relegation but offered qualified hope for the future.
Hull needed victory to boost their own survival chances and created plenty of opportunities, only to be denied by some sturdy Sunderland defending and superb goalkeeping from Jordan Pickford.
Though a lifelong Sunderland supporter, Pickford is almost certain to leave this summer to remain in the Premier League and pursue his ambition to become England's first-choice keeper.
But among other stars of the win at Hull were midfielder George Honeyman and Billy Jones, the scorer of the first goal.