Sunderland Secures Decisive 4-0 Victory Against Sheffield Wednesday In Championship

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Sunderland secured their second consecutive win in the new Championship season with a 4-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday at the Stadium of Light. Eliezer Mayenda scored twice, while Dennis Cirkin and Luke O'Nien also found the net for the Black Cats, who now sit second in the table behind Burnley.

Regis Le Bris' team started strong, going 2-0 up within the first 15 minutes. Cirkin opened the scoring in the 11th minute by heading in Patrick Roberts' free-kick. Just four minutes later, Mayenda capitalised on a loose pass from Josh Windass to double Sunderland's lead.

By the 24th minute, Sunderland had extended their lead to 3-0. O'Nien was quick to react to a deflected shot from Chris Rigg, steering the ball past Sheffield Wednesday's goalkeeper James Beadle. This early dominance effectively ended any hopes of a comeback for the Owls.

This impressive start saw Sunderland score three goals within the first 24 minutes of a Championship match for the first time since September 2004 against Gillingham. OptaJoe highlighted this achievement with a tweet: "Sunderland have scored three goals in the opening 24 minutes of a Championship match for the first time since September 2004 against Gillingham (3-0 up after 20 minutes). Electric."

The Black Cats continued their momentum into the second half. Just two minutes after the restart, Jack Clarke set up Mayenda for his second goal, sealing a comprehensive victory for Sunderland.

Sheffield Wednesday's Mixed Start

Sheffield Wednesday experienced contrasting fortunes in their opening games. They began their season with a dominant 4-0 win over Plymouth but followed it with this heavy defeat. This makes them the first team in England's top four tiers since Blackpool in 2010-11 to win by four goals or more and then lose by four or more goals in consecutive matches.

Sunderland's strong start to this season contrasts sharply with their struggles at home towards the end of last season when they failed to win any of their final seven home league games. This turnaround has seen them win their opening two games of a campaign in the second tier for the first time since Bob Stokoe achieved it half a century ago.

The Black Cats' early-season form suggests they have put last season's difficulties behind them and are ready to challenge at the top of the table once again.