Sunderland marked their first European game in 53 years with a 1-0 win against AZ Alkmaar in a historic Europa League clash on Wearside.
The Black Cats had not played in Europe since a 2-0 defeat in Lisbon to Sporting in the Cup Winner’s Cup of 1973.
Micky Horswill was the last Sunderland player to score in Europe before Enzo le Fee’s penalty served up a deserved and gutsy win for the side which finished seventh in the Premier League last season.
The key moment came when teh lively Le Fee was hauled down following a devastating counter-attack, and picked himself up and coolly slotted his spot-kick into the bottom corner.
Backed by a deafening home crowd, Regis Le Bris’ side dominated the opening 45 minutes with wasteful finishing prevented a more commanding lead.
Le Fee hit the woodwork with a rasping drive before the interval before Sunderland were forced to weather substantial pressure and appeared to be clinging on into the closing stages before AZ’s intensity finally waned.
The Black Cats missed late opportunities to make the scoreline emphatic.
Elsewhere there were wins for Benfica, Lyon and Bayer Leverkusen, with the competition continuing on Thursday night.
Wednesday’s Europa League results
Ararat 1-4 Sparta Prague
Omonia Nicosia 1-0 Celta Vigo
AC Milan 0-2 Benfica
Anderlecht 1-2 Lyon
Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 Celje
Hapoel Be’er Sheva 0-0 Dinamo Zagreb
Olympiakos 2-1 Jagiellonia Bialystok
Sturm Graz 0-0 Rennes
Sunderland 1-0 AZ Alkmaar
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