Sunderland romped to a second successive victory over a hapless Nottingham Forest side still searching for their first win of the season and firmly rooted in a relegation positions.
The Black Cats carried on from where they left off at Gillingham at the weekend by romping into a two-goal lead after just 11 minutes with goals from Julio Arca and Stephen Wright.
Arca struck in the fourth minute, beating goalkeeper Paul Gerrard with a low drive following good work by Wright and Marcus Stewart. Forest defender Jon Hjelde was injured in the build-up to the goal and was replaced by Chris Doig, but worse was to soon follow for Forest.
Marlon King squandered a great chance to equalise by failing to hit the target after Gary Breen and Steve Caldwell collided when attempting to clear an Alan Rogers free-kick and the miss proved costly.
Dean Whitehead whipped in a left-wing corner and Wright rose magnificently to thump a header into the roof of the net with Gerrard well beaten.
Gerrard saved twice from the fleet-footed Stephen Elliott as the home side took complete control against a Forest side forced on to the back foot and relying too much on Andy Reid for a way back.
Skipper David Johnson should have hauled Forest back into the game, heading wide just after the break and Mart Poom saved well from Paul Evans.
The impressive Reid forced Poom into rare action, but normal service was quickly resumed with Carl Robinson striking the post after 74 minutes and Whitehead striking the woodwork late on.
The introduction of John Oster and Liam Lawrence gave the home side extra width, but Forest restricted the damage to just the two early goals and avoided an embarrassing defeat.