Sunderland were beaten 3-2 by Crystal Palace, despite leading 2-0.
Sunderland failed yet again to pick up their first league win under David Moyes, and passed up their best opportunity.
The Black Cats went 2-0 up through Jermain Defoe, but Palace fought back to draw level, and Christian Benteke rose highest to head Palace in front and snatch three points.
Now sitting bottom of the league, here are five things learned from Sunderland’s defeat to Palace.
Van Aanholt is not the player he was under Allardyce
Sunderland’s Patrick van Aanholt looks dejected
Yet again Patrick Van Aanholt’s defensive capabilities were questionable in the Palace defeat.
The left back had started to sharpen up at the back at the end of last season under Sam Allardyce, but he has returned to his old ways since Moyes has come in.
The Dutchman is very good going forward, but his inability to defend and help his side stop leaking goals is costing Sunderland. His limp block allowed Palace to get one goal back, and he allowed James McArthur to beat him in the air for the away side’s equaliser.
Januzaj is always going to flatter to deceive
Crystal Palace’s Martin Kelly in action with Sunderland’s Adnan Januzaj
When Adnan Januzaj burst onto the scene, he was a very raw talent with bags of potential.
He is now become just a very raw talent. Time and time again, the Belgian would create an opening for himself before failing to deliver a successful cross, frustrating the home fans at the Stadium of Light.
Januzaj needs to add a final ball to his game, otherwise his loan spell at Sunderland will prove to be a failure.
Defoe’s goals might not be enough this year
Sunderland’s Jermain Defoe celebrates scoring their second goal
Defoe’s goals have kept Sunderland in the Premier League two years in a row.
In the third season, the forward is still getting the goals but even that might not be enough for the Black Cats.
Defoe now has four goals so far this season, but Sunderland only have one point. The 33-year-old’s ability in front of goal will count for nothing if Sunderland can’t tighten up at the back.
Moyes NEEDS to turn to O’Shea
Sunderland’s Paddy McNair and John O’Shea celebrate at the end of the match
Yet again, there was no experienced figure at the back for Sunderland and it has cost them again.
John O’Shea has that experience, and instead he is on the sidelines as Lamine Kone and Papy Djilobodji pair up, conceding goal all after goal.
Djilobodji looks a bag of nerves any time he does anything, and Kone needs that experienced figure alongside him. John O’Shea is that experienced figure.
Ndong looks a sound investment
Sunderland’s Didier Ndong
Along with Defoe, the other positive for Sunderland was Didier Ndong.
The midfielder made his second start for the Black Cats, and was the only midfielder capable of getting forward and supporting the lone striker Defoe.
The Gabon international was box-to-box, bursting up the pitch, as well as getting in Crystal Palace faces and winning back possession. When Ndong finally gets truly up to speed with the English game, he could be a key player for Sunderland.
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