After last week's spectacular and welcome victory at Crystal Palace, which gave Sunderland hope in their efforts to avoid relegation, the team reverted to type and suffered a crushing 4-0 defeat to Southampton.
Sunderland started well, but failed to open the scoring and the visitors gradually got into the game. By half-time, Claude Puel's team were two goals to the good through new signing Manolo Gabbiadini and in full control as Sunderland chased shadows for the best part of an hour.
The first shot on goal from David Moyes' side came well into the second half through a weak effort by the disappointing Didier N'Dong and Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster was not troubled again.