Crystal Palace 0-4 Sunderland: Eagles humiliated by Sam Allardyce's former team as Lamine Kone, Didier Ndong and Jermain Defoe's brace seals stunning win
Sam Allardyce was humiliated by his former team as four first-half Sunderland goals sealed an emphatic victory over struggling Crystal Palace.
Lamine Kone reacted quickest to the loose ball to volley the Black Cats into the lead in the 10th minute before Didier Ndong's superb long-range effort made it 2-0.
Things went from bad to worse for the hosts when Jermain Defoe scored a third in first-half stoppage-time and the 34-year-old piled more misery on Allardyce by keeping his cool once again to double his tally in the first-half.
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Sunderland defender Lamine Kone reacts quickest to the loose ball to volley the visitors into the lead at Selhurst ParkJermain Defoe, who is often Sunderland's goalscorer, jumps on Kone's back after seeing him score against Crystal PalaceSunderland midfielder Didier Ndong doubles David Moyes' side's lead with a wonderful 25-yard strike in the first halfThe Gabon international celebrates his stunning goal as Palace right back Joel Ward cuts a dejected figureOn the stroke of half-time, Sunderland's star striker Defoe makes it 3-0 by burying his shot into the far cornerThe experienced striker enjoys his goal as the Black Cats stunned Crystal Palace with an impressive first-half performanceDefoe piles more misery on struggling hosts by keeping his cool to double his tally with Sunderland's fourth first-half goalFormer Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce, now in charge of Palace, makes his way to the home changing room at half-timeA Crystal Palace fan tries to confront Damien Delaney as the players walk off after the half-time whistle on SaturdayWelsh midfielder Joe Ledley, who came on as a first-half substitute, looks on dejected after full-time whistle at Selhurst ParkAllardyce, facing his former team for first time since leaving at the end of last season, appears in high spirits prior to gameWilfried Zaha, who has recently returned from Africa Cup of Nations duty with Ivory Coast, is fouled by Sebastian LarssonFormer Manchester United winger Zaha remonstrates with the referee after being caught by Larsson's reckless challengeThe Swede absolutely clattered Zaha as he looked to burst free down the right and is duly shown an early yellow cardKone watches on as Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey looks to claim the defender's initial effort ahead of Billy JonesBut Wales No 1 Hennessey was unable to catch the ball and Kone reacted quickest to volley in the opener in south LondonCentre back Delaney is unable to stop the ball hitting the back of the net as Scott Dann and Christian Benteke look onThe Ivory Coast international wheels away to celebrate his opener as Jack Rodwell (right) congratulates the defenderKone and the Sunderland players celebrate after taking an early lead against their Premier League relegation rivalsAllardyce, who won his first game since arriving at Palace against Bournemouth during the week, cuts a dejected figureThe former England manager is forced into making a first-half substitution as Joe Ledley replaces the injured Yohan CabayePalace defender James Tomkins times his challenge to tackle Defoe as the Sunderland striker looks to head towards goalSunderland's Adnan Januzaj, on loan from Manchester United, is shown a yellow card by referee Andre MarrinerNdong robs Ledley in midfield, strides forward into space and curls in a left-footed strike from 25 yards to make it 2-0Defoe was once again quick to congratulate his team-mate as Sunderland and Palace went head-to-head in south LondonFormer Tottenham forward Defoe in action during the opening period of this crunch Premier League fixture on SaturdaySunderland debutant Bryan Oviedo, who joined last month from Everton, surges forward but is hunted down by ZahaThe 34-year-old forward jumps for joy in front of the Crystal Palace supporters as Sunderland take a three-goal leadSunderland fans, sitting in the away end at Selhurst Park, can't believe what they're witnessing after their side's fourth goalJames Tomkins can't hide his disappointment as Wayne Hennessey looks on during their humiliating Premier League defeatJohn O'Shea was forced off with injury for Sunderland as former England man Joleon Lescott came on to make his debutLescott, formerly of Man City, and fellow debutant Darron Gibson appeal for a foul as Benteke tries to win the ballBenteke looks to score a consolation goal for Palace in the second half but is unable to test Vito Mannone in the away goalKone, who was signed by Allardyce during the manager's spell at Sunderland, is booked after kicking the ball awayAllardyce, who has endured a torrid time after replacing Alan Pardew as Palace boss, can't watch the action on SaturdayCrystal Palace fans make their way towards up the stairs for an early exit after seeing their team embarrassed by SunderlandVan Aanholt, who started his career in England with Chelsea, with Defoe during Sunderland's shock 4-0 victory this weekend