WHAT is it about Sunderland and Wembley? Having made two trips to the national stadium last season, the Black Cats appear determined to spark another invasion of Trafalgar Square this term.

How else can you explain such an accomplished disposal of Premier League opposition in the second round of the Carabao Cup? Jack Ross made eight changes at Turf Moor, Sunderland fell behind as early as the 12th minute, yet the visitors still ended up outclassing a Burnley side that currently sit in sixth position in the top-flight. So much for avoiding a fixture pile-up this term.

Will Grigg’s first goal of the season levelled things shortly before half-time, and Sunderland pulled off their biggest cup shock since they started tumbling down the leagues courtesy of two goals from short corners at the start of the second half.

Tom Flanagan and George Dobson scored them, with the latter one of a number of players to come into the side and do their reputation a power of good. Grigg was energetic and effective in attack, Dylan McGeouch was neat and tidy at the base of midfield, and Elliot Embleton was a tireless runner down the left-hand side.  

Sunderland’s composure in the final third was especially notable, not to mention the energy provided by the likes of Dobson, Luke O’Nien and Lynden Gooch. Aiden McGeady and Chris Maguire might provide attacking composure, but Jack Ross’ side were able to press much higher up the field without them.

Burnley will be accused of disrespecting the Carabao Cup, but while Sean Dyche made ten changes from the side that started Sunday’s draw at Wolves, he was still able to select four full England internationals. Not, however, that you would have known it from the way Sunderland swept their opponents aside.

One of those England internationals, Jay Rodriguez, opened the scoring early on, surging into the right of the area to receive a through ball from his strike partner, Matej Vydra, and drilling a crisp low strike into the far corner.

Sunderland had fared reasonably well to that stage, with O’Nien, repositioned in a ‘number ten’ role, striving to provide support to Grigg, but Burnley’s superiority was beginning to become evident by the time they scored, and was glaringly apparent for the next 20 minutes.

With Vydra and Rodriguez linking effectively, and Dwight McNeil highlighting why he is regarded as one of the brightest teenage talents in the Premier League, the hosts should really have been out of sight at the break.

That they entered the interval level was down to a combination of poor finishing and a fair bit of luck on Sunderland’s behalf. Both factors were in evidence midway through the opening period as Burnley hit the woodwork twice in a matter of seconds.

Aaron Lennon, another of England’s forgotten men, drilled a fierce low strike against the base of the left-hand post, and after the rebound fell invitingly into his path, Vydra hammered the rebound against the base of the opposite upright. It was a let-off for Sunderland, and they got another a couple of minutes later as an unmarked Ben Gibson headed over from a corner.

The visitors were rocking at that stage, but to their credit, they continued throwing men forward on the break and their adventure was rewarded ten minutes before half-time.

Denver Hume crossed from the left, Burnley debutant Danny Drinkwater inadvertently diverted the ball into Grigg’s path, and the Northern Ireland international calmly turned goalwards before hammering into the roof of the net. It was an accomplished finish that ended a 13-game goal drought that had stretched back to April’s 5-4 defeat to Coventry. If not quite on fire, at least Grigg is showing signs of sparking back into life.

His equaliser certainly sparked a reaction from Sunderland, with the visitors entering the interval with a spring in their step. Even so, few could have foreseen what transpired at the start of the second half.

Just a minute into the second period, and Gooch was kicking off a short corner routine that resulted in him receiving the ball back before drilling in a low strike from the corner of the box. Joe Hart could only parry the American’s effort, and as he followed in, Flanagan was left with the simple task of heading home the rebound. In response to the goal, the Sunderland supporters behind Hart’s goal began comparing the Burnley goalkeeper to Jordan Pickford. Suffice to say their comments were less than complimentary.

Not content with one short-corner goal, Sunderland got another set-piece three minutes later and duly scored another. Gooch rolled a short pass to O’Nien, he shuffled the ball to an unmarked Dobson on the edge of the area, and the summer signing from Walsall swept home his first Black Cats goal. Not a bad way to mark your arrival.

Burnley tried to stage a comeback, but Lee Burge produced a fine save to keep out Kevin Long’s close-range header and while substitute Chris Wood threatened to cause problems, his efforts proved in vain.