A brace from Charlie Wyke and a Chris Maguire handed the Black Cats victory after they had fallen behind to a long-range Lewis Alessandra effort.
But who were the star performers against the Cumbrians, and who has work to do ahead of the League One restart on September 12? Scroll down and click through the pages as Phil Smith dishes out his merit marks:
9. Aiden O'Brien
Struggled to get into the game early on but it is obvious why Parkinson has brought him in. Unlike most of the other number ten options, his instinct is to get close to the centre-forward and indeed run beyond. Didn’t quite come off today but he was full of running. 5 Photo: Frank Reid
10. Lynden Gooch
Was at the heart of Sunderland’s best attacking play on Saturday but didn’t quite get into the game here and was a peripheral figure for the most part as his side struggled to create. 5 Photo: FRANK REID 2019
11. Will Grigg
Work-rate was good and he stretched the play even as chances were at a premium. Only had one real sight of goal, and opted to try and find a team-mate with a cross that was ultimately too close to the goalkeeper. 6 Photo: Frank Reid
12. Anthony Patterson
Not called into action during a comfortable closing period. 6 Photo: Frank Reid