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Marc-Vivien Foe opened the scoring just before half time, Sun Jihai increased the lead after an hour and Shaun Goater completed the rout three minutes from the end with the Stadium of Light almost deserted.
Sunderland's troubles started before even a ball was kicked when central defender Jody Craddock twisted an ankle in the pre-match warm-up, Joachim Bjorklund answering the SOS call even though he was not even among the named substitutes.
But Sunderland's troubles lie at the other end where creating chances is fast becoming mission impossible and the departure from the scene in the 66th minute of Kevin Phillips, Tore Andre Flo and skipper Michael Gray summed up the sorry state of affairs.
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The Chinese international supplied the ball over the top for Foe to beat a hesitant Jurgen Macho and there was a sense of no way back for the home side.
Sylvain Distin worked his way to the byline in the 62nd minute and Macho was again at fault in not cutting out the low centre, allowing Jihai to score from close range.
Peter Schmeichel, who saved well from Michael Proctor in the first half, made a brilliant save from substitute David Bellion to avert a possible fightback but after Nicolas Anelka had hit the bar, Goater rammed home a third goal in the 87th minute.