Lynden Gooch scored the winner in the sixth minute of stoppage time, as Sunderland started their season with a 2:1 win over Charlton in front of live TV cameras. A needless early penalty given away by the Black Cats allowed Lyle Taylor to put the visitors ahead from the spot. Sunderland did the majority of attacking after that, but were frustrated by the visitors for long spells. However, they leveled through Josh Maja midway through the second half and came close twice before Gooch popped up to grab a late winner.

The first notable incident of the game resulted in a goal, as Chris Magire needlessly brought down Karlan Ahearne-Grant, allowing Taylor to score from the resulting penalty.

The hosts initially struggled to respond to the goal but came to life late in the half. Two decent chances fell to eventual scorer Maja, but he failed to take them, as it was advantage Charlton going into the break.

The Black Cats had more of the ball after the break but struggled to create chances. However, their pressure paid off on 65, when Maja created space for himself and drilled home a low finish.

Sunderland remained on top after leveling but Charlton defended resolutely. However, the visiting defence was being breached more and more often and Dillon Phillips did superbly well to keep out a Maguire free-kick, while Jerome Sinclair inexplicably fired wide from inside the six-yard box.

The hosts' pressure was eventually rewarded, as Gooch powered home a header in added time to win it for the Black Cats.

Sunderland's display as a whole was not particularly impressive, but the quality present in their ranks was there for all to see. The Black Cats have several players who are too good to be playing in this division and it is difficult to see them not going up if they gel as a team under their new boss. On the other side, it was certainly a disappointing way for the Addics to lose. However, they have only themselves to blame, having become far too defensive after taking the early lead.