Five things we learned as Sunderland continued their winless start to the Premier League season after 3-0 defeat to Everton at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland’s predictably slow start in the Premier League continued as they were beaten 3-0 by Everton following a second half Romelu Lukaku hat-trick.
A goalless first half meant it was all to play for after the break but three quickfire goals from the visitors ultimately saw them claim the points as the Black Cats remain winless.
Here are five things we learned from the match:
1. Jan is back!
What a relief it must be for Sunderland fans to see arguably their most important defensive player Jan Kirchhoff make his first-team return with a solid performance.
Despite the result, the big German was easily the Black Cats’ best outfield player and the sooner David Moyes can get him playing regularly again the better.
He was a vital part of Sunderland’s Premier League survival last term and they will need him on the pitch as much as possible if they are to avoid the drop this season.
2. Pick of the bunch
Sunderland’s well documented goalkeeping dilemma saw them sign Portuguese keeper Mika after deadline day in order to help cover in the absence of number one stopper Vito Mannone who remains sidelined with an elbow injury.
But the Italian keeper may struggle to get straight back into the first-team as local-lad Jordan Pickford is continuing to impress between the sticks.
The 22-year-old couldn’t have done anything to prevent Everton’s three goals but had it not been for him the score could have been much higher as he pulled off a few fine saves with a one from Lukaku’s header in the first half being the pick of the bunch.
3. Kone caught in two minds?
Sunderland manager David Moyes admitted Lamine Kone could have become an Everton player during the summer and must have been thankful that he managed to keep hold of his main man at the back.
But French defender certainly didn’t do Moyes or his side any favours against the Toffees as he failed to pick up Lukaku for his opening goal.
Sunderland failed to recover from their as the Belgian went on to score two more in quick succession. Perhaps Kone wishes he had made the move.
4. Shocking transfer window will be Sunderland’s downfall
Sunderland broke their transfer record to sign Gabonese international midfielder Didier Ndong from Lorient during the summer but is he really the player they desperately needed?
The Black Cats have been screaming out for a striker to rival Jermain Defoe for a while and even though they picked up free agent Victor Anichebe following deadline day, he’s hardly the double figures forward Sunderland need.
Last season the Wearsiders had to rely on a remarkable goalscoring run from Defoe in order to maintain their Premier League status but the England international is 33-years-old and simply cannot continue being the only remotely regular source of goals in the side.
If Defoe were to get injured or go through a goal drought then you can be sure that Sunderland will suffer.
Against Everton the former Tottenham Hotspur man was starved of service as it’s clear that he needs more support and competition up front.
The likes of Anichebe and Fabio Borini can offer something different but their lack of goals could prove to be a huge problem as the pressure on Defoe risks becoming insurmountable.
5. It’s going to be a long season
Sunderland are continuing to live up to their ‘slow starter’ reputation as they remain winless in the Premier League this season following their latest defeat.
In fact you have to go all the way back to the 1-0 win over Wigan Athletic in 2012 to find the last time the Black Cats won a game during the opening two months of the season.
It looks as though Sunderland are in for yet another long and hard season, though things always seem to turn out alright for them in the end – just.
Will Sunderland go down?
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
