Sunderland claimed a comfortable victory against strugglers Burnley, whose miserable run without a Premier League win extended to 15 matches.
Once Habib Diarra's shot deflected off visiting defender Axel Tuanzebe to provide the hosts with a ninth-minute opener, the outcome appeared to be a foregone conclusion.
And so it proved as Sunderland celebrated a 12th game without a home defeat - the longest unbeaten start to a top-flight campaign at home by a newly promoted side since Nottingham Forest in 1977-78.
The hosts, who have exceeded expectations on their return to the Premier League after a nine-year absence, claimed their second goal in the 32nd minute.
Diarra rounded off a sweeping move down the right with a low effort that Burnley goalkeeper Martin Dubravka should have done better with.
However, it was no more than Regis le Bris' side deserved.
Sunderland played with an intensity and purpose that Burnley simply failed to match and Moroccan Chemsdine Talbi put the gloss on an excellent night's work from the hosts with a stunning third goal that flew into the top corner from 20 yards.
The success lifted the Black Cats up to eighth in the table - five points off the top four - while the second-bottom Clarets, who have not taken three points since 26 October, remain 11 points from safety.
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