Darren Bent's fourth goal in four games gave Sunderland a 1-0 victory over moneybags Manchester City with virtually the last kick of the game at the Stadium of Light on Sunday.
The match was in its 93rd minute when Bent went for a right-wing cross and found himself hauled to the ground just outside the six-yard box by right-back Micah Richards.
Referee Mike Dean pointed instantly to the spot and the Sunderland striker held his nerve to drive a low penalty kick beneath England keeper Joe Hart.
A crowd of close to 40,000 raised the roof as they realised that Sunderland had overcome the world's richest club and it was only a matter of seconds before the result was confirmed and Roberto Mancini's millionaires trod wearily towards the tunnel.
City had only themselves to blame for not getting something out of the game, having dominated the first half only to be undone by a collector's item open goal miss from Carlos Tevez on the quarter-hour.
A shot from Sunderland defender Kieran Richardson was charged down and City counterattacked with pace - three City players onto one as Yaya Toure reached the box, drew Sunderland keeper Simon Mignolet and passed inside to Tevez.
The unmarked Argentinean ace needed only to sweep the ball into an open goal from 12 yards out but somehow contrived to clip the ball over the crossbar.
It was one of the misses of the season and City were made to pay dearly for it, though at the time it seemed only a matter of time before they got on the scoreboard.
Sunderland were indebted to young Belgian keeper Mignolet who made two brilliant saves from Yaya Toure before the break.
And though Sunderland improved markedly in the second half, they seemed certain to drop behind in the 78th minute when substitute Emmanuel Adebayor backheeled a ball from four yards out but Mignolet produced an astonishing reaction save to tip the ball over the bar.
In the last 10 minutes, City threw everything forward, looking to get that win which would keep early pressure on at the top of the table.
But then came Richards' foul and Bent's goal to fire Sunderland to their first league win of the season.