The Black Cats will now prepare for a trip to Bristol City, who made an unusual arrival for their match against Hull on Saturday.
There were also a few surprises elsewhere on the opening weekend of the campaign.
Here are some of the main stories.
![Pre-season promotion favourites Norwich registered just one effort on target as they were beaten 1-0 by Cardiff in South Wales. Many have predicted that Steve Morrison's Bluebirds will have another difficult campaign, yet debutant Romaine Sawyers scored the only goal of the match to give them a winning start.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjAxYjg1N2I5LWE2ZmItNDAzZi1hNTY3LTY3ZTBiNWQ4ODY3NTo5Y2ExZDU1ZS0xY2Q3LTRkYzctOWE5Yi04NjExNmU0OTc2NDc=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
1. Team performance of the weekend: Cardiff
Pre-season promotion favourites Norwich registered just one effort on target as they were beaten 1-0 by Cardiff in South Wales. Many have predicted that Steve Morrison's Bluebirds will have another difficult campaign, yet debutant Romaine Sawyers scored the only goal of the match to give them a winning start. Photo: Getty Images
![Another player who enjoyed a fine debut was Millwall centre-back Charlie Cresswell. Not only did the Leeds loanee play a key part in the side's clean sheet during a 2-0 win over Stoke, but he also scored both goals from set-pieces.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjkxNThjMjQ2LWQyOTAtNDM2YS1iMDRkLTQ2ZTFlZDM3ZTk2Zjo1ZDdlNmE0My05YTU1LTQ0YzYtYWY1OC1iN2JiY2EzOTMxNTQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
2. Individual performance of the weekend: Charlie Cresswell (Millwall)
Another player who enjoyed a fine debut was Millwall centre-back Charlie Cresswell. Not only did the Leeds loanee play a key part in the side's clean sheet during a 2-0 win over Stoke, but he also scored both goals from set-pieces. Photo: Henry Browne
![New Blackburn captain Travis scored a stunning curling effort which dipped beyond QPR goalkeeper Seny Dieng in a 1-0 win for Rovers. It was a great start for new Rovers boss Jon Dahl Tomasson.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjQ3ZDcxYmMwLWU5MDAtNDUxOS1hNWYxLTM2MzdlNzk2ODkzMzozNmFkMmEyNy1hYzk0LTQyMDItODVkYy03ZGVlMjZlNGM1MjA=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
3. Goal of the weekend: Lewis Travis (Blackburn)
New Blackburn captain Travis scored a stunning curling effort which dipped beyond QPR goalkeeper Seny Dieng in a 1-0 win for Rovers. It was a great start for new Rovers boss Jon Dahl Tomasson. Photo: Harriet Lander
![Evans had only been on the pitch eight minutes when he was sent off for a late tackle on Wigan's Curtis Tilt in a goalless draw. Not a great way to start the new season.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjMzYmRjZTViLWI2NGYtNDA3MS1hZjVlLTgwNzk5ZDRhMDhhZTplYTk4NmM3My01MzhiLTRlMjEtYjI2Ni04MTA1N2I1OTEyYzU=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
4. A day to forget: Ched Evans (Preston)
Evans had only been on the pitch eight minutes when he was sent off for a late tackle on Wigan's Curtis Tilt in a goalless draw. Not a great way to start the new season. Photo: Lewis Storey