The striker who caught the eye and a change to Sunderland's transfer plans? The key conclusions from the Carlisle triumph

While the EFL Trophy continues to split opinion, Sunderland boss Phil Parkinson will certainly have taken plenty from his side’s 5-3 win over Carlisle United.

We take a look at the key conclusions that can be taken from the triumph:

Denver Hume is flourishing

At the start of last season, some questions were being asked of Hume.

Some shaky displays in the early fixtures saw the full-back drop out the side, before a spirited display after being introduced as a substitute against Portsmouth somewhat turned the tide.

But there have been no such questions asked this term. Indeed, Hume is arguably becoming one of the first names on the teamsheet and was impressive once again in the win over Carlisle.

He was defensively strong and a threat going forward - deservedly scoring the Black Cats’ second of the evening and a fine flowing move.

In many games this term, Hume has been Sunderland’s greatest attacking threat and he seems to be flourishing in Parkinson’s 3-4-1-2 system.

Long may that continue.

Strikers stake their claim

We’ve been waiting since the start of the season for a striker to grab the bull by the horns and say ‘yes, I’m Sunderland’s number nine.’

And while nobody quite did that in the win over the Cumbrians, there were some positive signs from the Black Cats’ forward players.

After a near-anonymous performance in the first half, Charlie Wyke was far more influential after the break. It was his header that allowed Chris Maguire to net the third, and he reacted sharply to turn home goal number four after Magnus Norman spilled Maguire’s effort.

Did he do enough to suggest he should be the Black Cats’ regular starting striker? No, not by a long way, but there were positive signs to take.

As there were with Danny Graham, whose cameo saw him offer an outlet for the hosts as they looked to see out the game – with Carlisle threatening an unlikely comeback.

His unselfish touch allowed Jack Diamond to put the game beyond doubt and Graham did his job well during his limited time on the pitch.

So while there’s still nobody rising above the crowd, there is plenty of food for thought for Parkinson.

Luke O’Nien catches the eye – and could it change transfer plans?

We’ve seen plenty of brilliant and bizarre things in the EFL Trophy and, to begin with, Luke O’Nien’s selection as a left-sided centre back looked to be edging toward the latter.

But by the end of the contest, O’Nien proved his versatility knows no bounds having put in an assured performance in Sunderland’s back three.

As Parkinson noted after the game, it wasn’t just in the defensive side of the game where the 25-year-old impressed. In possession, he looked assured and combined well with Hume on the left flank.

Parkinson also said that the Black Cats’ staff have long held a belief that O’Nien could play as a central defender if required and this performance will only hammer home that belief.

Sunderland are in the market for a centre back following an injury to Morgan Feeney, but could Parkinson’s transfer plans change following the emergence of the former Wycombe man as a viable option in the back three?

It could be an interesting one to watch.

Jack Diamond has a role to play

In modern football, the sight of a wide player running at his man is a dying art.

But for Diamond, it’s all part and parcel of the dynamic style which has brought him into the first-team fold at the Stadium of Light.

The youngster was once again impressive against Carlisle and enjoyed a good tussle with visiting full-back Jack Armer. While Diamond’s end product was lacking at times, he was a constant threat and – in the first half particularly – was given acres of space on the right flank.

He took his goal well and is genuinely exciting to watch. There is a role for Diamond in the first-team, even if that is as an impact player for the time being.

There’s work to do for Remi Matthews

Scarcely tested against Aston Villa’s second string in his only previous competitive outing, this was always going to be a better test of Matthews’ abilities.

But his showing did little to abate any concerns that supporters may have over the summer arrival, who will reflect on two of Carlisle’s goals with a sense of regret.

While there was little he could do about Jon Mellish’s well-struck third, Matthews was rash in coming out to bring down Ethan Walker for the Cumbrians’ early penalty.

Equally he will feel he should have done better with Mellish’s first of the evening, with his starting position called into question.

Matthews is obviously a ‘keeper of good pedigree but has some serious work to do if he is to displace Lee Burge – and right now, that looks an unlikely prospect.

Maguire’s magic thrusts him back into pole position

In Maguire’s absence at Charlton, Josh Scowen seized his opportunity with a fine display – seemingly putting himself in contention for a start when Sunderland head to Swindon Town.

But Maguire has thrust himself back into pole position with another fine display.

His first goal may have been somewhat fortuitous, but his second owed much to his determination to nudge George Tanner off the ball before cooly slotting past Norman.

So too did Sunderland’s second come through Maguire, whose pass allowed Hume the space and angle to finish.

It would now be a major surprise if he doesn’t start at The County Ground on October 17.

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