Sunderland's Sky Bet Championship credentials were put to the test but they emerged with credit after a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Sheffield Wednesday.
After a horrible campaign last year, and a pre-season littered with problems, the Black Cats were not fancied to be much of a threat on their return to the second tier, but under the guidance of streetwise Simon Grayson they took four points from their opening two games.
They looked like following up their win at Norwich on Saturday with another impressive three points at Hillsborough after George Honeyman's sweet fourth-minute strike and 70 minutes of control.