Taking a look back at a classic West Ham United moment on this day in history, in association with RoadX Tyres...
It's always the unlikeliest wins which prove the most fulfilling - and, following that same logic, it's always the unlikeliest matchwinners who relish that status the most.
On this day in day in 2003, West Ham United completed a stunning second-half turnaround against Sunderland at Boleyn Ground - with none other than defender Ian Pearce netting the winner with ten minutes remaining.
Having been relegated along with the Black Cats the previous season, this December clash in 2003/04 was seen as a match-up of two First Division promotion contenders.
Yet the Hammers had endured patchy form in the autumn and the visitors made much them pay for their rustiness, going two goals up in the first half through Jason McAteer and John Oster.
The second half was a completely different story, however, as a quickfire double from Jermain Defoe early on pulled the Irons level.
The teams traded chances before Pearce's dramatic intervention completed the turnaround, granting West Ham fans the unusual picture of manager Alan Pardew celebrating on the pitch in his shorts!
You can relive the stunning game in our clip above.
RoadX Tyres is West Ham United's Official Tyre Partner. RoadX Tyres is a new tyre brand which successfully launched around the world at the end of 2019. The company focuses on providing comfortable and durable high-performance tyres and is backed with the highest level of testing, manufacturing, and research and development capabilities.
