Everton's opening goal from a ricocheted Merlin Rohl shot was cancelled out by three Sunderland strikes to see Regis Le Bris' side move into the Premier League's top half.
Sunderland came back from a goal behind to beat Everton 3-1 at Hill Dickinson Stadium to maintain their push for European qualification heading into the final day visit of Chelsea.
Everton attacker Merlin Rohl broke the deadlock late in the first half, courtesy of a ricochet from Granit Xhaka, but Sunderland hit back thrice in the second 45' to bag all three points on Merseyside.
Grumbles amongst the Black Cats faithful echoed on social media when Regis Le Bris' starting XI was announced, with Nilson Angulo replacing Chemsdine Talbi and Trai Hume retaining his role at right midfield.
In the early stages, both sides showed lack of sharpness and some loose touches, despite visiting Sunderland dominating the possession.
On the 15-minute mark, a touching moment came when both Everton and Sunderland fans clapped and sang in unison in memory of young Black Cats supporter Bradley Lowery, on what would have been his 15th birthday.
As the first half continued with Sunderland in control of play, woes beckoned for Le Bris as centre-half Omar Alderete was forced off with injury, and was replaced by stalwart Luke O'Nien.
Some stern tackles ensued for both sides, with Reinildo scythed down by Everton midfielder Tim Iroegbunam and O'Nien alert to thwart Iliman N'Diaye with a crunching slide.
With the interval approaching, the Toffees broke the deadlock with Rohl driving inside from the right and firing a low shot towards Robin Roefs' goal, which cannoned off Granit Xhaka to defy the Sunderland shot-stopper and put the hosts 1-0 up.
Sunderland started the second half as the more dominant of the two sides, with Hume almost chipping Jordan Pickford from great distance following a miscued cross.
Deservedly so for the Black Cats, their early pressure came to fruition with the equaliser.
After a switch of play from Xhaka, defender Jake O'Brien's loose touch saw Enzo Le Fee profit and pick the ball up in a dangerous midfield pocket, before the magical Frenchman slipped Brian Brobbey through to do the rest.
The bullish Brobbey brushed James Tarkowski off with ease, before rifling past Pickford to bring the scores back level and set Sunderland on their way to victory.
However, the equaliser seemed to shake Everton into life, and O'Nien was called into defensive action once more with his third superlative sliding challenge of his superb substitute showing.
Earlier in the week, Le Bris admitted he wants to improve Sunderland's attacking output, and he kept his word with his substitutions with the scores still even.
On the 77-minute mark, Chris Rigg, Wilson Isidor and Habib Diarra replaced Nilson Angulo, Brian Brobbey and Noah Sadiki respectively, to great avail.
Minutes later, the substitute trio connected brilliantly, ending with Rigg teeing up Le Fee to strike low with his left foot to beat the outstretched palms of Pickford.
The in-form Frenchman donned a Spider-Man mask in celebration of his decisive goal, his eleventh goal contribution of the season, and he proved to be Sunderland's superhero once again as he has been so often this season.
Le Fee, who was magnificient again in central midfield, proved once again why he is the best technician at Sunderland, with his assist for Brobbey and goal completing the comeback.
With Sunderland one ahead, Roefs made an outstanding save with his shoulder to deny O'Brien's header and preserve the lead heading into the 90-minute mark.
Sunderland rubbed salt into Everton wounds in injury time, with Isidor finishing off a devastating counterattack with a gorgeous finish to sent the travelling red-and-white faithful into raptures.
The Black Cats' comeback saw Sunderland leapfrog Everton into the top half of the Premier League table, sitting ninth heading into the final-day fixtures.
If Le Bris' side are to qualify for Europe next weekend, Sunderland must beat tenth-placed Chelsea who now sit two points behind, and either Brentford fail to win at Liverpool, or Manchester United beat Brighton at the AMEX.