THIS was a comprehensive victory that Sunderland supporters may not have seen coming and yet it was done like they had been capable of delivering it all season.

Lamine Kone and Didier Ndong’s goals were followed by a double from Jermain Defoe and the points had effectively been wrapped up before the half-time whistle had even been blown.

Here are four of the key talking points after an impressive display.

BIG VICTORY

Sunderland supporters would have struggled to remember the last time they were four goals up at the break in a Premier League game; no wonder because it was more than 17 years ago against Chelsea.

The confidence should be bursting through the Black Cats squad after this performance and result, leaving the relegation battle wide open with just two points separating them in bottom spot from 15th placed Middlesbrough.

Clearly, given they are still rooted to the foot of the table, there is still work to be done, but this was an organised and disciplined Sunderland display which bodes well for the run-in.

BELGIAN’S CHANCE

There were question marks over the decision to recall Adnan Januzaj to the starting line-up.

It was not so much that people wanted to see Fabio Borini stay in the side, more that there was a belief Wahbi Khazri should have been installed to support Jermain Defoe.

But Januzaj delivered. There were times when he still looked weak in possession, but the Manchester United forward won the free-kick that led to the opener and never looked back after that.

He teed up both of Defoe’s goals and Moyes can feel that he made the right call.

MONEY WELL RECEIVED

It was not the sort of day Patrick van Aanholt would have wished for after his £14m switch from the Black Cats last Monday.

The Dutchman looked well short of a player worth that sort of sum of money. Sunderland supporters know all about his weaknesses as a defender, and they were evident this afternoon.

He had already conceded the free-kick for a foul on Januzaj which led to Kone’s opener, before then being guilty of allowing Januzaj to feed Jermain Defoe his second at the end of the first half.

AND FINALLY …

Jack Rodwell can finally celebrate. At the 38th time of asking he has finally won a Premier League game which he has started for the Black Cats.

The £10m midfielder had not looked comfortable at times in the early exchanges but he grew into the role to help Sunderland do the job in the first half.

He had to be withdrawn seven minutes into the second half because of injury, but that won’t matter too much to him tonight. Rodwell can finally lay to rest the unwanted honour of having never won a league game he has started for Sunderland.

MANAGERIAL REACTION

David Moyes: "I always expect to win, and set my teams out to win. But 4-0 at half-time? I don't think I've ever had that before.

"Every game is going to be difficult and this was always going to be a hard one. But we defended well and scored goals at the right times.

"We were very resilient against Tottenham without playing all that well, but we did today. This was vital after that, we had a great run in the first half of the season and we need another one.

"I'm always confident and positive, and I know you always have a chance when you're fighting with other teams at the bottom.

"I'm also experienced enough to know you can pull teams in, but we might have to win a big game against a bigger club."

Sam Allardyce: “This was all about fear among the players. When the first went in there was a fear and they lost control. You have to keep control mentally.

“The frailties were shown by our defending in the first half and the four goals they scored. There are players here struggling and I need to get rid of that fear and make sure they play better than they are now.

“It was very frustrating and it is my responsibility as manager to turn things around. The fans will show disapproval if they are not performing to the level they expect.”