Habib Diarra hit the ground running on his Sunderland return, starring in his side's 3-0 win over 19th-placed Burnley, as the Clarets' winless run stretches to 15 games.
Diarra, who made his first Premier League start since September following a lengthy injury, thought he had scored his side's opener in the ninth minute, only for it to go down as an Axel Tuanzebe own goal.
However, the 22-year-old midfielder eventually managed a goal of his own with a powerful effort later in the first half that proved too much for Martin Dubravka, who got a hand to the ball.
Chemsdine Talbi's scorcher from range in the second half just compounded the gulf between the two newly-promoted sides.
Are Sunderland safe?
No team in the last 10 years have gone down with 36 points in the Premier League.
A lacklustre Burnley performance saw the side muster 0.06 xG, one of the lowest marks from a Premier League team this season. It's now also a fourth game in a row without a shot on target for Scott Parker's side. Meanwhile, Sunderland's impressive home run without defeat in the top flight this season continues.
On a positive night for the Black Cats, who moved up to eighth, Sunderland also announced a £17.5m Deadline Day deal to sign Nilson Angulo from Anderlecht. The 22-year-old replaces Simon Adingra, who departed for AS Monaco on Monday.
In need of a spark of their own from a new recruit, James Ward-Prowse, on loan from West Ham, was denied his debut as he was an unused substitute.
Burnley, who finished above play-off winners Sunderland last season, now trail the Black Cats by 21 points as they missed the opportunity to close the gap on 18th-placed West Ham.
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Chemsdine Talbi scores for Sunderland vs Burnley
Chemsdine Talbi scores Sunderland's third in their Premier League match against Burnley
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Habib Diarra scores a second for Sunderland vs Burnley
Habib Diarra scores Sunderland's second goal against Burnley in their Premier League match
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Habib Diarra scores for Sunderland vs Burnley
Sunderland 1-0 ahead against Burnley after Habib Diarra strike ruled Axel Tuanzebe own goal
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