An unflattering display saw them crash out of the Carabao Cup to League One side Huddersfield.
Here's five things we learned from the game:
**Warm welcome for returning Gooch**
It’s not every day that a home team’s announcer gives a shoutout to an opposing player, let alone an opposition captain. But Sunderland rolled out the red carpet for fan favourite wishing him a “warm welcome” as the sides prepared for the clash, with the Wearside crowd returning a nostalgic “GOOCH”.
He returned the favour by scoring in the shootout as Huddersfield won 6-5.
Huddersfield caused an upset. _(Image: Owen Humphreys / PA)_ **Auditions for new signings**
Regis Le Bris handed full debuts to Marc Guiu, Nordi Mukiele and Arthur Masuaku after an influx of summer dealings. There will be decisions for the French manager to make ahead, not least because the makeshift [Black Cats](http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/football/sunderland) defence looked particularly vulnerable from corners despite the pedigree of Mukiele and Masuaku in the middle.
That being said, Mukiele in particular grew into the game and looked a bit of a threat from attacking set pieces.
The tie also provided a chance for Enzo Le Fee to play himself back into favour after a trio of summer signings seemed to have ousted the once club record purchase. After a quiet game, he almost scored a stunning free-kick an hour in.
Guiu had the best game of the lot, bagging a goal on his full debut, with the new number nine getting the Gooch treatment; the stadium shouting "GUIU" as he wheeled away in celebration.
Marc Guiu bagged a goal on his debut, but it wasn't enough. _(Image: Owen Humphreys / PA)_ **Final third jitters**
As the Premier League new boys gained more of a foothold in the game one thing became apparent. The much-changed front line was prone to having some jitters in the final third.
Isidor and Patrick Roberts both had opportunities to cut the ball across the box, but they were left wanting and either overhit or misplaced.
And Rigg had a brilliant chance in the 73rd minute after being slipped in by Roberts, but he opted to pass across a crowded six-yard box rather than shoot.
The same could be said of the team’s corners which sailed over all in the box on more than one occasion.
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**Good old fashioned 4-4-2 and long balls, is football back? Not really…**
Le Bris started with a traditional shape with Guiu and Wilson Isidor up front and a flatter midfield four of Dan Neil and Le Fee in the middle with Patrick Roberts and Chris Rigg on the wings - with defenders and midfielders looking for a long ball across the field.
Football might have evolved, but the English spirit of hoofball lives on… for 45 minutes at least until Le Bris changed back to a more familiar 4-3-3.
**Have Sunderland found a cure for cup fever?**
An empty stand and no progression into the third round of the League Cup for the fifth time in six years.
It is the fourth season in a row Sunderland have failed to win a game in the Carabao Cup after an agonising penalty defeat to their League One opponents.
Still, many on Wearside won’t care. Staying in the Premier League is all that matters this season.