Phil Parkinson got his first match in charge of Sunderland at the Stadium of Light off to a perfect start with an attacking performance and a 5-0 win
The Black Cats had goals from Duncan Watmore , Chris Maguire and Lynden Gooch to show for their efforts as they stormed into a 3-0 lead at the break.
After dominating from the kick-off - Will Grigg hit the post - Sunderland took the lead when Grigg's ball into the right-hand channel released Watmore in the area, and he steered it beyond the keeper and in off the left-hand post.
The home side doubled their lead almost instantly when a free-kick from Maguire just inside the D beat the wall and found the right-hand side of the net with the keeper rooted to the spot.
Gooch then added a third just before the break when Maguire chipped from the edge of the box to put Watmore in, who then tapped the ball across the face of the goal for Gooch to tap in.
The Black Cats didn't let up in the second period, and added to their total when Will Grigg got a deserved goal to make it 4-0.
And Luke O'Nien's late diving header wrapped up the scoring as Sunderland marked Parkinson's first game at the Stadium of Light in style.
Here are James Hunter's ratings from a match to remember.
LEE BURGE 7
A couple of decent saves but had a relatively quiet night and kept a clean sheet
LUKE O’NIEN 8
Did a good job at right-back and when moved into midfield, popped up with a goal
JORDAN WILLIS 7
Strong at the heart of defence
JOEL LYNCH 7
Very solid and made one vital block to deny Payne
DENVER HUME 7
Caused Tranmere problems when he got forward down the left
GEORGE DOBSON 7
Plenty of energy in central midfield
MAX POWER 7
Dicatated the play in the middle of the park against the club where he started his career
DUNCAN WATMORE 8
Scored Sunderland’s opener, won the free-kick for the second, and assisted the third
CHRIS MAGUIRE 8
Scored an excellent free-kick for the second goal, and another set-piece was finished by O’Nien
LYNDEN GOOCH 7
Scored one goal, had another disallowed, and was always a threat until he limped off with a knock
WILL GRIGG 7
Hit the woodwork early on, provided the assist for Watmore, and ended his league drought
SUBS
MARC McNULTY 8
For Gooch 54mins. Lively when he came on, tested the keeper and set up Grigg’s goal
CONOR McLAUGHLIN 7
For Watmore 72mins. Continued where O’Nien left off in defence
BENJI KIMPIOKA 6
For Grigg 88mins. Just a cameo, and it was his first senior appearance since April
NOT USED: J McLaughlin, McGeouch, Flanagan, Leadbitter
