Disappointed Burnley boss Sean Dyche admitted an experienced line-up had come up badly short as the Clarets crashed out of the Carabao Cup.
Dyche made 10 changes to his starting XI for the second-round tie against League One Sunderland at Turf Moor.
But Burnley still boasted eight full internationals in their side and despite leading through a 12th-minute Jay Rodriguez goal ended up on the wrong end of a 3-1 defeat to suffer another early exit from the competition.
Sunderland, with eight changes of their own as they concentrate on a promotion push, equalised through Will Grigg before the break.