Crystal Palace 0 Sunderland 4

Sometimes there are events in one's life that are beyond comprehension and beyond the power of description. This is one of those. But I'll try and give it go. Analysing the match feels pointless. I've been to Sunderland matches before. I've seen them win, lose and draw. But I've never experienced anything quite like what I felt in the five minute period at the end of the first half today when Didier Ndong scored from outside the box and Jermain Defoe, a one man "fuck you" to the ravages of  time, added a brace in stoppage time.

It was pandemonium in the away end. Strangers embraced each other. I jumped on top of the guy next to me and he didn't even seem to care. I basically destroyed my vocal chords. It was an intense moment of pure joy, the like of which doesn't come around very often. The worst team in the league had shown up at their old manager's new club and given them an absolute drubbing. I don't know how much I believe in a team's fans improving their performance. But at the end of that half they seemed to be propelled forward by some sort of invisible force, each attack breeding more and more confidence.

I understand why many people consider football to be a ludicrous pre-occupation, but moments like today remind you why so many people love it so much. It still possesses the ability to catch you offguard. I still think Sunderland will be relegated this season. But it's a sweet sweet moment, particularly if you work in a betting shop in south east London where a fair number of your punters support a certain Croydon based side. I'm guessing they won't feel Glad All Over tomorrow.

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