Matty Hewitt takes a look at the key talking points from Sunderland's Carabao Cup clash with Huddersfield Town
Marc Guiu
Marc Guiu opened his account for Sunderland against Huddersfield Town in the Carabao Cup.
It was an evening to forget for Sunderland's second string after they were beaten by Huddersfield Town on penalties in the second round of the Carabao Cup.
Regis Le Bris made 11 changes to the side that was beaten by Burnley at Turf Moor at the weekend, handing three full debuts to new signing's Marc Guiu, Arthur Masuaku and Nordi Mukiele.
It's fair to say you wouldn't expect to see the same level of cohesion as we might from the XI who took to the field at Turf Moor, but Huddersfield made ten changes of their own and looked a solid compact unit. There was little room for excuses.
Chronicle Live has taken a look at the key talking points from the game.
Too many miss their chance
At this stage of the season, with new faces looking to bed into the squad and those who currently find themselves on the fringes looking for match sharpness, tonight was all about minutes in the legs. That being said, the performance needed to be better.
It was a poor first half performance from the Black Cats who managed just two shots - none of which came on target - while the visitors managed six with three of those hitting their mark. It must be said, Anthony Patterson wasn't exactly troubled and it took a wondergoal from Leo Castledine to open the scoring.
Tonight should have been an opportunity for those who have not broken into the starting XI in the Premier League to make their mark - too many missed that chance. It's important not to be overly critical given Sunderland's back line was made up of three full-backs and one academy graduate midfielder, but it was the lack of cohesion in the final third that was most concerning.
The second-half was a better display, with Sunderland mustering up 15 more efforts, managing just four on target, one of those being Guiu's equaliser. The fact Le Bris opted to start with that defence perhaps hints at what areas we're likely to see strengthened before deadline day.
Another centre-half and a wide forward will be on the transfer wish list and it's clear to see why. One player who did look levels above tonight was Dan Neil who not only kept Sunderland ticking, but just about covered every blade of grass.
Lack of creativity in attack
Guiu may have scored on his first outing in a red and white shirt, but the Chelsea loanee had to fend off scraps throughout the game. His header, a real poachers finish from a brilliant ball into the area by Milan Aleksic, was something he was crying out for all evening.
There were moments in the game the Spaniard was visibly frustrated with his teammates for failing to put the ball into the area he wanted and rightly so. Perhaps it was the lack of time they've spent on the pitch with him, a desire to impress from all involved, or not wanting to make a mistake - even more likely, all three.
Sunderland lined up in a 4-4-2 and struggled to create anything in the first-half, though were vastly improved in the second-half. It would have been hard to be much worse, truth be told.
When they changed to a 4-3-3 they were much more threatening, but the second string didn't exactly blow Huddersfield away despite being two divisions above them. The Black Cats looked much better with Wilson Isidor out wide and Patrick Roberts out wide, but still, they were both missing an end product tonight.
Credit must also go to the Terriers' centre-half pairing with Jack Whatmough particularly impressive tonight.
Marc Guiu scores for Sunderland
Marc Guiu scores for Sunderland against Huddersfield Town.
A surprising debutant impresses
There was a number of Sunderland players making their competitive bow in a red and white shirt, but it was an unlikely substitute who looked the part. Academy of Light graduate Jenson Jones replaced Niall Huggins at the half-time interval and took little time in showing his abilities.
The youngster looked assured at the back and gave a real outlet down the right, making some dangerous, darting runs in behind. The 19-year-old had a good opportunity to equalise when a dangerous ball was floated to the far post, but it just had too much on it for the outstretched youngster.
As the game went on, he grew into it and combined well with Patrick Roberts and Chris Rigg down the right. A bright first display.
Sunderland can score penalties after all
Sunderland may have been knocked out of the Carabao Cup on penalties and if there was anything to take from tonight, it was that the Black Cats can score penalties. Five out of six at least.
The Wearsiders' penalty woes were well documented last season, but the second string found the back of the net from 12-yards out with composure tonight. Milan Aleksic was the unfortunate one to miss in the shootout but played his part in setting up the equaliser.
Onto the next.