Tony Mowbray’s side were denied a penalty in the first half when Patrick Roberts was brought down and instead booked for diving.
The visitors dominated the second half but couldn’t make a breakthrough, before Matthew Pennington opened the scoring for the hosts from a corner.
Sunderland then scored two stoppage-time goals as Ross Stewart and Luke O’Nien turned the match around.
Here’s how Phil Smith rated the Sunderland players:
5. Luke O’Nien - 8
Defended really well and got his reward for repeatedly surging his forward with an excellent finish in the same goal where he scored his first Sunderland goal. 8 Photo: Frank Reid
6. Dan Neil - 8
It would have been richly undeserved had he been on the losing side. Completely controlled the game from the base of midfield and it was his late surge that broke the game open. What a start he has made to 2023. 8 Photo: Martin Swinney
7. Edouard Michut - 6
Took him a while to get up to the pace of the game but once he did he was tidy in possession and showed some lovely footwork. 6 Photo: Frank Reid
8. Abdoullah Ba - 6
Pushed really high up the pitch, almost playing as a centre forward at times. Not a great deal broke for him but he competed and showed some nice touches. 6 Photo: Frank Reid