Norwich City ruthlessly exposed Sunderland's defensive frailties as they ran out comfortable 3-1 winners at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
Sunderland were put to the sword in a 4-2 defeat in last weekend's Barclays Premier League opener against Leicester City, and Dick Advocaat's men were all at sea at the back once more in front of their home supporters, as Norwich deservedly celebrated a first win since returning to the top flight.
Captain Russell Martin knew little about the opening goal as he bundled in from close range, but there was no fortune about Steven Whittaker making it 2-0, the full-back finishing a well-crafted move.
Nathan Redmond, rewarded with a start after making a positive impact off the bench in last week's 3-1 loss to Crystal Palace, then scored his second goal in as many league games just shy of the hour.
Substitute Duncan Watmore netted a late goal for Sunderland but it was little consolation on another dismal afternoon for the Black Cats.
Alex Neil's side can now look forward to next weekend's contest against Stoke City with optimism, but Advocaat has much to ponder ahead of Swansea City's trip to Wearside.
After a cagey opening, Norwich began to enjoy a spell of possession and Costel Pantilimon made a terrific save low to his left to keep out Jonny Howson's edge-of-the-box drive.
But from the resulting corner Norwich broke the deadlock in the 26th minute. Robbie Brady worked a smart set-piece before hitting a stinging drive at Pantilimon, whose parry rebounded off Martin and trickled into the goal.
It got worse for Sunderland in the 37th minute as Norwich carved open their fragile defence again. Whittaker played a neat one-two with Wes Hoolahan on the right of the area and shrugged off Patrick van Aanholt's weak challenge before drilling into the far corner.
Steven Fletcher, one of two changes to Sunderland's XI from the Leicester loss, had the chance to halve the deficit shortly before the break but he headed Jermain Defoe's cross wide from eight yards.
Sunderland needed a quick start to the second half and Younes Kaboul might have provided it had he not somehow headed Lens' corner back towards the corner flag from six yards.
Norwich duly punished that miss by putting the match beyond doubt in the 57th minute when Redmond combined well with Hoolahan before passing a shot low inside Pantilimon's near left-hand post.
The only cheer from the home fans was for the introduction of 21-year-old academy graduate Watmore and he marked a lively top-flight debut with a goal two minutes from time, scuffing low into the bottom left-hand corner after Norwich had failed to clear Lens' free-kick.
Sunderland head coach Dick Advocaat: "Two games two defeats we did not expect. With all respect to Norwich, we must get the result but they were the better side in everything.
"We have to discuss with the players how we go on. It was the same in pre-season and you hoped it would change but it is not changing. Myself as well, I am responsible for that, no doubt.
"Together we have to find out if we can find the solution. We have to find the reason otherwise we have no chance."
Norwich manager Alex Neil: "I thought it was very good, similar to last week in that we dominated the game.
"We had the cutting edge this time though. The first goal is crucial and we got it and didn't look back. I have a great group, they work hard and work as a team."
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