Christian Benteke scored in the dying stages of the match at the Stadium of Light to ensure Crystal Palace came away from the North East with all three points.
Jermain Defoe opened the scoring in the 39th minute before doubling his side's lead on the hour mark.
Joe Ledley, who made a costly mistake in the build up to Defoe's opener, pulled one back for the visitors before the Welshman's fellow midfielder levelled the scoreline with 14 minutes to go.
Summer signing Benteke then stepped up to win the game for the south London outfit.
MORE TO FOLLOW.