It's April 15, 2017, and Sunderland have just drawn level in the dying embers against West Ham United in the Premier League. It would be the final time the Stadoum of Light would celebrate a point at the highest level for more than eight years.
Wahbi Khazri got the opener in that one, and Fabio Borini salvaged a point with a last-gasp equaliser. Remember it? The Black Cats would finish 20th that term, and one year on, they would be spiralling down into League One, the TV cameras all pinned on an absolute disaster for one of England's biggest clubs.
That's all in the past. Sunderland are back in the big time, riding the crest of a wave under the management of Regis Le Bris. Not only are they set to avoid relegation on their big return, but they are are in tenth place with six games remaining, eyes on the train into next year's European competition.
Regis-Le-Bris
The manager oversaw a number of bold decisions after securing a place in the top flight, one of which was the sale of Jobe Bellingham, who in hindsight has helped to facilitate this new wave of successful signings.
Why Sunderland sold Jobe Bellingham
Bellingham, 20, was a mainstay in Le Bris' Sunderland midfield last season, but he left for Borussia Dortmund in an initial £27m deal, before he had the chance to play in the Premier League. In this, he emulated his world-renowned brother.
Jobe Bellingham in the Championship (24/25)
Match Stats (* per 90)
Matches (starts)
Goals + Assists
Touches*
Accurate passes*
Possession lost*
Big chances created
Key passes*
Succ. dribbles*
Ball recoveries*
Tackles + interceptions*
Clearances*
Duels won*
At the time, this was met with a mixed response from supporters, but the England U20 international has proved that he can perform on the major stage, even if he has only started 15 matches in all competitions.
Bellingham may yet forge a career for himself at the very highest level, but staying with Sunderland and continuing to foster his natural strengths might have been in his better interests. However, Sunderland spent wisely last summer, fashioning a new-look midfield who do not miss the rising star's all-action skillset.
Indeed, Le Bris has actually found the Black Cats' new version of Bellingham, and while he is yet to hit full strength, there's no question that this is a player with the potential to become a superstar.
Sunderland have found the new Jobe Bellingham
Bellingham may no longer be a part of the Sunderland project, but Le Bris did indeed succeed in reshaping his midfield. Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki have been instrumental in the central pivot, but Habib Diarra hasn't quite hit the same heights.
Sunderland's Habib Diarra
Having arrived from Strasbourg in a club-record £30m deal last summer, the Senegal international struggled with injuries during the earlier part of the season, then jetting off to AFCON in January.
He's now started nine consecutive games in the top flight, but his tireless, high-energy displays in the engine room have helped Le Bris's side to recover form in recent weeks, now pushing for a record points total in the Premier League.
Diarra has, after all, been hailed by Sky Sports reporter Sam Blitz as being “in the same ballpark as Pogba & Kante”, Diarra was made Strasbourg captain by Liam Rosenior last season, and with a self-proclaimed goal to become one of the top midfielders in the world, he had named the aforementioned superstars as his idols.
While Bellingham, a multi-functional midfielder with pace, energy and forward-carrying power, is no longer a member of the Stadium of Light persuasion, Diarra could be the perfect replacement, someone who will outstrip the youngster as he continues to acclimatise to the English game.
habib-diarra-sunderland
Diarra hasn't hit his full potential in a Sunderland, but there is so much to like about a player whose skillset incorporates several attributes from some of the division's biggest former stars.
He's become a regular starter in the Premier League since returning from his home continent, and next season, he's bound to push for the next level and allow his side to keep going from strength to strength.
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Le Bris looks like he's creating another Jack Clarke at Sunderland
Regis Le Bris deserves a huge amount of credit for how he's transformed Sunderland and one particular young star.