After collecting just three points and no victories from their first eight matches, Dick Advocaat and Sunderland parted ways.
In stepped the experienced Sam Allardyce who had been out of football since leaving West Ham United at the end of last season.
Fletcher celebrates scoring the third against Newcastle
And in his second match in charge, Big Sam guided his side to a 3-0 victory over arch rivals and his former club Newcastle.
Even if the Black Cats do suffer relegation at the end of the season, the result – their fifth Tyne-Wear derby win in a row – is one which gave fans their only real bright spark in what has been a difficult campaign to date.
