Marko Arnautovic scored a first-half brace and Peter Crouch converted his 99th Premier League goal to heap more misery on Sunderland.
The visitors started brightly and Arnautovic followed up his own shot to smash home at the second attempt. Shortly afterwards, the Austrian collected another, calmly slotting home after a wonderfully incisive passing move. Peter Crouch then added his side's third and his 99th Premier League goal with a towering header.
Jermain Defoe nicked one back before the break after latching on to a long ball forward but Sunderland could not find a way back into the match as their fans left the Stadium of Light in their unhappy droves before full time.