5. Justin Hoyte
Its a shame to start with someone who didn't so much slay the Mags as give us false hope before we took a hammering. Still, it was nice while it lasted and whilst it came in the midst of a dreadful season, Hoyte was one of the few who came out of the season with his credibility vaguely intact having not completely embarrassed himself. The goal itself was surprising given that the right back found himself on the edge of the 6 yard box to finish a move he started with a ball into Jon Stead down the right. Surely the roles should have been reversed? Anyway, lets not dwell on this one too much...
4. Patrice Carteron
Another right back on loan, this time a Frenchman, who like Hoyte scored his sole goal for the club against our bitterest rivals. Carteron was very much the modern full back, marauding forward at every given opportunity; against Newcastle United at the Stadium of Light his attacking instinct resulted in a goal, which sent Sunderland into a deserved lead. Unfortunately, the Lads failed to hold on, but it was a magical moment nonetheless. Indeed, it seems Sunderland and the derby left a lasting impression on him, despite only appearing for us 8 times in total.
3. Nicklas Bendtner
At number three, its everyone's favourite maverick Dane, with a penalty to silence the St James' Park crowd and send the Sunderland travelling support into raptures. Like Carteron's goal, it was deserved, but it would also be cancelled out later in the game by Shola Ameobi. Bendtner's goal at St James' - or was it the Sports Direct Arena then, it's hard to keep up - was the highlight of a decent spell at the club and he is remembered fondly by many on Wearside.
2. Djibril Cisse
Diibril enjoyed scoring against the Mags so much at home, he decided to do it again when we played them away. A more likely French goalscorer than Carteron, Cisse helped beat Newcastle at the Stadium of Light by putting the Lads 1 up, instinctively turning in a Steed Malbranque cross shot. The game is rightly remembered for Richardson - on loan from Jesus, as pointed out by Nick Holden of this parish - smashing a free kick in to win the game but Cisse's contribution should not be forgotten. His second derby goal - much like those mentioned before him - merely preceded a draw. Again, Sunderland were the better side on the day and Newcastle's equaliser came from a penalty that quite simply should never have been given. Although that bitter memory lingers, it can't erase the one of Cisse gleefully putting the Lads ahead.
1. Fabio Borini
Well who else could we give the number 1 spot to? It had to be the Italian pocket dynamo after his beauty of a winner on Sunday. The way he collected the ball from Altidore's touch and proceeded to smash it with assured confidence before wheeling away to celebrate will live long in the memory. This goal didn't just contribute to a win, it not only won the game, it was a goal worthy of winning any game. Sublime. The scenes it sparked have long been missing at the Stadium of Light too and it may be that the importance of this goal goes way beyond a derby and kickstarts our entire season. Here's hoping.
Oh and there has to be some irony in a loan signing winning it against the men infamously sponsored by a payday loan company? No, just me?