Sunderland 2-2 West Ham United
This was the game that proved to be Dick Advocaat’s last in charge of Sunderland before he stepped down as head coach.
Steven Fletcher gave the Lads the best possible start when he fired home Yann M’Vila’s neat free-kick before Jeremain Lens executed a clever chip from long range to double the Black Cats’ lead.
Carl Jenkinson pulled one back on the stroke of half-time before Dimitri Payet levelled for West Ham after Lens was dismissed for a second bookable offence.
West Bromwich Albion 0-1 Sunderland
Sam Allardyce headed back to one of his old stomping grounds for his first game as Sunderland manager looking to revive the Black Cats after a poor start to the Barclays Premier League season.
Chances were at a premium throughout but the Lads had the best chance in the opening exchanges when Billy Jones forced Boaz Myhill to make an excellent save.
Despite controlling the opening sequences Sunderland were unable to turn their dominance into an advantage and West Brom edged in front in the second period through Saido Berahino.
It was an opportunistic strike but the ultimate knockout blow to Sunderland which proved enough for the Baggies to clinch victory.
Sunderland 3-0 Newcastle United
The international break which followed after the West Brom match gave Allardyce plenty of time to stew on how he was going to turn Sunderland’s fortunes around.
With the Tyne-Wear derby up next for Big Sam, he was on song to make history as the Black Cats made it six successive derby victories over Newcastle.
An emphatic 3-0 win at the Stadium of Light was sealed when Steven Fletcher volleyed home Younes Kaboul’s wonder-cross in the closing stages.
The three goals twinned with a clean sheet came as a huge morale boost as they looked to climb up the Barclays Premier League table.
