Blackpool ended 2010 on a high courtesy of DJ Campbell’s second half double against Sunderland - recording their fifth away victory of the season whilst ending the Black Cats’ unbeaten 2010/11 home record in the process.
The Seasiders, who had not played a competitive game since their 1-0 victory at Stoke on December 11, rode their luck to seal a sensational three points.
The hosts dominated for long periods, amassing over 30 attempts on goal.
Sunderland had the best of a frenetic opening half, with their attacking trio of Danny Welbeck, Darren Bent and Asamoah Gyan all guilty of wasteful finishing.
If took until the half hour mark for Blackpool to craft their first meaningful chance - Luke Varney found some space before striking a tame effort straight at Craig Gordon.
DJ Campbell spurned a glorious opportunity to open the scoring soon after - firing wide after Matt Phillips burst down the right and put the ball on a plate for him in the middle.
The striker then dragged a shot agonisingly wide from outside the box.
Sunderland rallied at the end of the first half - Henderson was firstly denied by Richard Kingson from point-blank range before Gyan hit the side-netting from a tight angle after rounding his compatriot.
Somehow, the game remained goalless at the interval.
The second half begun in the same vein as the first, but Blackpool broke the deadlock against the run of play.
DJ Campbell latched onto Neal Eardley’s pinpoint cross to stab home following a short corner with David Vaughan and send the tangerine faithful into raptures.
Sunderland soon began to inflict immense pressure on the Blackpool goal in reply with Cattermole, Gyan and Henderson all going close.
Substitute Steed Malbranque produced a superb reaction save from Kingson as they were left highly frustrated in their search for an equaliser.
The Seasiders had chances of their own to wrap the game up - Gary Taylor Fletcher poked wide at the back post and Craig Cathcart guided a free header into the side netting from a corner soon after.
A moment of madness nearly provided Sunderland with a lifeline, when Bent seized upon Cathcart’s sliced clearance to fire at Kingson, with Ian Evatt heroically getting his head in the way of Elmohamady’s follow up effort.
It definitely seemed to not be the home side’s day when Bent struck a sensational 30-yard free kick against the woodwork.
Blackpool wrapped up the points in injury time when Phillips tricked his way into the box to set up Campbell with the simplest of finishes.
It was a memorable victory for the Seasiders, who climb up to eighth place with games in hand over their Premier League rivals.
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