Christophe Dugarry scored his first goal for Birmingham City to help confirm Sunderland's relegation from the Barclaycard Premiership.
The on-loan Bordeaux striker headed home from close range after 59 minutes and then raced to the Blues dugout to hug manager Steve Bruce.
The three points have enabled City to take a massive step towards ensuring they remain in the top flight for a second season and they are now on the 38 mark.
But defeat confirmed what has been inevitable for many weeks - the end of Sunderland's four-year tenure among the elite after a season of disaster and three different managers.
It was also achieved via a new unwanted club record of 10 successive defeats and amidst massive debts which may force an exodus of star name players in the summer.
Now the big question will be whether Mick McCarthy will have sufficient talent left at his disposal to mount a challenge for a quickfire return to the top flight.
To complete an unhappy day Sunderland striker Marcus Stewart received a straight red card four minutes from time for a bad foul on Stern John.
Four wins in six games have been the catalyst of Birmingham's battle to beat the drop after injuries and an horrendous fixture list in January and February threatened their survival bid.
Blues were worthy of their success and Bruce's first priority once safety is confirmed will be to try and sign Dugarry on a permanent basis.
He has already become a firm favourite with the fans and should make an even bigger impact once he has become fully accustomed to the demands of the Premiership.
The day was also a triumph for midfielder Bryan Hughes, who scored on his first start for five months after a season of being on the fringe of Bruce's plans.
Sunderland began positively and forced a string of corners in the opening 10 minutes as they looked to end their run of nine successive defeats.
But Blues started to settle and it needed a good block at the near post by Talal El Karkouri to deny Geoff Horsfield after he tried to flick goalwards a low cross by fit-again winger Stan Lazaridis.
City midfielder Stephen Clemence then diverted a downward header from Dugarry inches past the post when he looked favourite to score following an inswinging Lazaridis corner.
The Black Cats were forced to make a substitution after 22 minutes when defender Joachim Bjorklund limped out of the action to be replaced by George McCartney.
Then after 31 minutes Sunderland squandered a golden opportunity to take the lead.
Skipper Michael Gray and Stewart combined well down the left before the latter sent a low ball across goal into the path of the unmarked Sean Thornton - but the midfielder completely miskicked.
Kevin Kyle then sent a glancing header wide from a Gavin McCann free-kick and there was little to choose between the sides.
Neither goalkeeper had been seriously tested but two minutes before the interval St Andrews erupted as the long-serving Hughes put Blues in front.
Another dangerous cross from Lazaridis was punched out by Mart Poom - making his debut in place of the injured Thomas Sorensen - when under pressure from Dugarry.
But Hughes kept his cool to send a first time 25-yard chip over the despairing dive of Poom into the corner of the net.
Sunderland began the second half as the first in a positive vein and Kyle was only inches away from connecting with a chip from Phillips.
McCartney was then booked for bringing down Dugarry and then in the 58th minute the Frenchman celebrated his first goal for City.
Poom punched the ball clear and Hughes returned it into the danger area, Matthew Upson managed a touch and then in nipped Dugarry to head into the corner of the net.
It was to be the Frenchman's last contribution before he was replaced by John and received a standing ovation as he left the pitch.
Sunderland refused to go down without a fight and Phillips sent a close range header over the bar and tested Ian Bennett with another good effort.
But then came the Stewart red card - and Jamie Clapham almost rubbed more salt into Sunderland's wounds with a powerful rising effort which was inches too high.
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