Southampton humbled up north but journey destination not yet altered

It was a fifth for the Black Cats, whose supporters mocked Saints signing Ross Stewart - having completed a move to the beaten side just hours prior. 

Fans travelled up to six hours to watch but many left for the pub at half-time - even Matt Le Tissier, in the away end, is said to have abandoned after four.

Some players faced more criticism than others but nobody left with credit - captain Adam Armstrong, speaking to the Daily Echo, apologised after. 

He said: “Looking at the game, that’s not us. It was a shocking start to concede two early goals and we reacted badly. It’s one of those days we have to put right.

“The fans have been quality. It’s not easy, being a fan yourself you don’t like to see your team giving away sloppy goals.

“From me and all the lads, we can only apologise for the performance we put out there. We will reflect on it and push on.”

It ended the unbeaten start to manager Russell Martin’s Saints league career five games in, and in spectacular fashion.

It is the second time Martin’s side have been hammered, after Gillingham in the cup. Only two of Saturday’s starters and four substitutes were involved then, though. 

Martin, also speaking to the Daily Echo at full-time, said: “It’s really difficult to analyse when you concede two goals early, it changes the context of the game.

“The one thing we spoke about was starting well. The game went from then and they carried on with brilliant energy. We did not have enough of that.

“We went into self-preservation mode. The manner of this first defeat really hurts. The things we have tried to learn from previous games are the stuff that hurts. 

“The guys need to really want to help each other more off the ball. You can’t just want to play with the ball at your feet.

“I feel really sorry for the supporters who were brilliant, and we have to make sure this is the toughest game we have for everyone together.”

Martin added: “The corner (which sparked Sunderland’s break for the opening strike), Andreas (Georgson) is tearing his hair out.

“We get an early corner to put them under pressure but take it quick when we’re not set up one bit. 30 seconds later it’s in our goal.”

As Sunderland counter, they benefit from acres of space on their right of the pitch. Stuart Armstrong is the only man in a position to close down Trai Hume.

Hume has time to deliver, bouncing one into the path of Jack Clarke – running across Sam Edozie, who takes responsibility but should not be in that position.

By the seventh minute, Saints suffer ‘bad luck’ as a deflection from Flynn Downes on Pierre Ekwah’s goalbound shot is not enough to take it to Gavin Bazunu.

Saints wrestled back control of the game but Mason Holgate’s torment stepped up a notch as he passed straight to Ekwah before half-time, and then rushed out.

Once Holgate was beaten, Ekwah turned Downes and struck towards the bottom corner from range – Bazunu’s weak hand was not enough to turn it wide.

Just 140 seconds after the restart, the Irishman – who made five saves over the afternoon – atoned with an impressive save on a Bradley Dack header.

Unfortunately, Holgate’s miskick as the ball was fired back in saw it fall straight to the original shooter just yards out. 4-0. Game over.

Although Southampton had 68 per cent of the ball, they completed just 497 passes at 88 per cent accuracy compared to their average of 757 (92 per cent).

Sunderland took five more shots (18) and created six big chances, compared to Southampton’s one.

The same concerns persist with eight of the 12 goals Saints have conceded this season (-2 goal difference) coming from wide areas or set-pieces.

However, Martin - even after the good results were rolling - had warned us all to not get too high in victory, or too low in defeat.

The Championship is a league where anyone will beat anyone - you are going to lose football matches.

Tipped challengers Leicester City lost 1-0 at home to Hull City, while Norwich City were also beaten for the first time at Rotherham (2-1). Leeds United drew 0-0.

The manner of the defeat, of course, exacerbates concerns. It does not undo, however, what still looks like a very good summer window. 

Taylor Harwood-Bellis, uninvolved from the bench having just signed on Friday, will push to be the starting centre back – Shea Charles is the other candidate.

Che Adams has been dealing with uncertainty but could put that to bed, while Stewart will back playing in a month and has proven he can score at this level. 

Kamaldeen Sulemana needs to get his head down but can offer more than the current options - Sekou Mara started on the right of a front three yesterday. 

“I don’t think we could ask for much more than to keep some really important players. I think the squad is stronger than it was when we walked in,” Martin said.

“We’ve brought in players who are really going to help us, although we have lost a few that we were always going to lose.

“The additions we have made have been brilliant, the players we have kept hold of are outstanding.

“Jason Wilcox has been incredible throughout. Really open and honest. The club have had a lot of money back which puts it in a much stronger financial position.

“It’s been a very important window and we’ve got from now until January to see what we need from there.”

From the opening five games, 10 points is not a bad return. Only four teams have battered that total.

Two of those (Leicester and Ipswich) are Southampton’s next two after the international break and it sets up a tantalising September.

Saints will also take on Middlesbrough back in the northeast and welcome relegated Leeds, who kept hold of some of their Premier League stars.

If Martin’s side had got a result here, their success would have taken pressure off of Leicester's visit. Instead, there will be an expectation to see a response. 

Saturday’s shock is an early bump in the road but, in a 46-game season, it does not have to alter the destination of the club’s journey.