Benji Kimpioka celebrated his new contract with a brace as Sunderland thrashed Newcastle United 4-0 in the U23 Tyne-Wear derby.
One of Kimpioka's goals came from the penalty spot, with Cieran Dunne and summer signing from Hartlepool United Josh Hawkes, also on target in a game played behind-closed doors at Newcastle's Little Benton academy.
It was a first win of the season for Elliott Dickman's revamped development side, having lost their first two games of the Premier League 2 campaign.
But it ended a much longer wait for a league victory for the U23s after a miserable, winless, campaign last season, which prompted major personnel changes over the summer.
Prior to today, Sunderland's last Premier League 2 win had come in February 2019 when Jack Diamond's strike gave them a 1-0 win over Reading at the Stadium of Light.
But there was no sign of Diamond, nor the likes of Dan Neil, Brandon Taylor, or Jake Hackett, this afternoon, most likely because they are set to be involved in Sunderland's EFL Trophy group game against Carlisle United on Wearside tomorrow night.
Hawkes set Sunderland on their way to victory against the Magpies, giving Sunderland the lead in injury time at the end of the first half.
Kimpioka - who signed a new deal with Sunderland last week after his previous contract expired at the end of June - doubled their lead midway through the second period.
Dunne made it 3-0 five minutes later, before Kimpioka completed the rout when he converted from the spot 10 minutes from time.
Sunderland: Patterson, Wombwell (Baggs 90), Almond, Beaumont, Dunne, Kimpioka, Wilding, Dyson, Hawkes (E Taylor 87), Wearne, Curry (Harris 83). Sub not used: Bond
